Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita regrets departure of Yaya Toure to Manchester City

Team-mates and friends who were separated in the line of duty...

23 Jul 2010 20:45:00

By Kingsley Kobo

More On :  Barcelona, Manchester City, Seydou Keita, Kolo Toure
Seydou Keita, Barcelona (Marca)

Malian-born Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita says he regrets the departure of Ivory Coast’s Yaya Touré from Spain.

One can understand the affinity between the two players from West African neighbouring countries – Mali and Cote D’Ivoire.

Both spent three seasons together at the Catalan club – although Keita still plays there. Both are Muslims and speak the indigenous Dioula dialect, shared between peoples from both countries. Both players are also in the same age group – Keita is 30 while Touré is 27.

“If another player comes to sign with us at Barcelona it would be a good thing," Keita said to El Mundo Deportivo.

"But for the moment it’s difficult for me because Yaya Touré was a true friend and a great footballer."

Touré left Barça early in July for Manchester City, where his elder brother Kolo Touré also plays.

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