Italian side Fiorentina have completed the permanent signing of Ivory Coast international Christ Ravynel Inao Oulaï from Turkish club Trabzonspor.
The Serie A club confirmed the arrival of the 20-year-old on Sunday through their official communication channels, ending days of speculation surrounding his future.
While Fiorentina did not reveal the length of the player’s contract, Trabzonspor disclosed that the transfer was completed for a fee of €30 million, including bonuses, with the Turkish club also retaining a 10% sell-on clause.
The move represents another notable success story for Ivorian football, with Oulaï earning a switch to one of Europe’s top leagues after an impressive campaign in Turkey and growing prominence with the national team.
Born in Yopougon, Ivory Coast, on 6 April 2006, the midfielder arrives in Florence following a breakthrough season that saw him establish himself as one of Trabzonspor’s standout young performers.
In announcing the signing, Fiorentina said:
“ACF Fiorentina announces that Christ Ravynel Inao Oulai has joined the club on a permanent deal from Trabzonspor Kulubu.”
The Italian club also highlighted the player’s football journey and achievements to date.
“Oulai was born in Yopougon, Ivory Coast, on April 6, 2006. Throughout his career, he has played for Trabzonspor as well as for French club Bastia.”
Oulaï’s performances last season helped accelerate his development on both the domestic and international stages.
He made 31 appearances across the Turkish league and Turkish Cup, contributing two goals and four assists while helping Trabzonspor lift the Turkish Cup.
Those displays also earned him his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team before he featured at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Fiorentina, the midfielder has already become an important figure for the Elephants despite his age.
“Despite his young age, Oulai has already made 13 appearances for the Ivory Coast national team and played a very important role during the 2026 World Cup, where he featured in all of their games.”
His emergence reflects the growing influence of young African footballers in Europe’s elite competitions, with clubs increasingly investing in players who have already demonstrated their quality at international level.
For Fiorentina, the signing represents an investment in both the present and the future.
The club has secured a midfielder who has already gained experience in Turkish football, won domestic silverware and represented his country on African football’s biggest stages as well as at the World Cup.
For Ivory Coast, Oulaï’s transfer is another encouraging sign of the country’s ability to produce players capable of making the step into Europe’s leading leagues.
His progression from Yopougon to Bastia, Trabzonspor and now Serie A underlines the growing pathway available to talented African footballers.
