Issouf Macalou

Issouf Macalou (born 27 December 1998) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga I club Universitatea Cluj.

Issouf Macalou

Personal information
Date of birth	(1998-12-27) 27 December 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Universitatea Cluj
Number	19
Youth career
2008–2017	AS Meudon
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2019	Sochaux B	46	(11)
2019	Louhans-Cuiseaux	13	(4)
2020–2021	GOAL FC	11	(6)
2021–2023	Valenciennes	13	(1)
2021–2022	→ Le Mans (loan)	31	(5)
2022–2023	→ Red Star (loan)	27	(7)
2023–2025	Sochaux	35	(6)
2023–2024	Sochaux B	3	(4)
2025–	Universitatea Cluj	10	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 May 2025

Career

Macalou began his senior career with the youth academy of Sochaux, before playing for Louhans-Cuiseaux and GOAL FC. On 25 January 2021, Macalou signed a three-year contract with Valenciennes.^[1] He made his professional debut with Valenciennes in a 1–0 Ligue 2 win over USL Dunkerque on 30 January 2021.^[2]

On 23 July 2021, he moved to Le Mans on loan.^[3]

On 7 July 2022, Macalou signed with Red Star.^[4] Valenciennes announced that the transfer is a season-long loan with an option to buy.^[5]

On 21 January 2025, Macalou moved to Universitatea Cluj in Romania.^[6]