Thierno Ballo

Thierno Mamadou Lamarana Ballo (born 2 January 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Wolfsberger AC. Born in the Ivory Coast, he represents the Austria national team.

Thierno Ballo

Ballo playing for Austria U19 in 2019.
Personal information
Full name	Thierno Mamadou Lamarana Ballo[1]
Date of birth	(2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 23)
Place of birth	Abidjan, Ivory Coast[2]
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Wolfsberger AC
Number	70
Youth career
0000–2012	SV Chemie Linz
2012	LASK
2013–2016	Bayer 04 Leverkusen
2016–2018	Viktoria Köln
2018–2021	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Chelsea	0	(0)
2021–2022	→ Rapid Wien (loan)	8	(0)
2022–	Wolfsberger AC	85	(28)
International career‡
2016	Austria U15	2	(1)
2016–2017	Austria U16	5	(2)
2016–2019	Austria U17	25	(6)
2018	Austria U18	1	(0)
2018–2019	Austria U19	12	(6)
2021–	Austria U21	9	(4)
2025–	Austria	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 10 June 2025

Career

Chelsea

Born in Ivory Coast, Ballo moved to Guinea at the age of three before leaving for Austria four years later. Ballo joined Chelsea in January 2018, following stints with SV Chemie Linz, LASK, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and eventually, Viktoria Köln.^[3][4] During his debut under-18 campaign with the Blues, Ballo finished as top goalscorer for that respective age group and subsequently made his quick progression into the under-23 side over the next two years.^[5] He signed his first professional contract with Chelsea in January 2019.^[6]

On 31 August 2021, Ballo returned to Austria to join Rapid Wien on loan for the 2021–22 campaign.^[7] Just under a month later, he made his debut for the club featuring as second-half substitute during their Austrian Cup 2–1 victory over Admira Wacker.^[8] After only featuring thirteen times in all competitions come January 2022, Ballo's loan was terminated and the forward subsequently returned to Chelsea.^[9]

Wolfsberger

On 12 July 2022, Wolfsberger AC announced the signing of Ballo on a free transfer, after his release from Chelsea. Ballo signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year.^[10] On 23 July, he played his first game for the club in a 1–1 draw against SK Sturm Graz.^[11] On 28 August 2023, Ballo scored his first goal in his professional career in a league game against WSG Tirol, helping his team to a 3–1 victory, which is Wolfsberger's first league win of the season.^[12]

Career statistics

Club

As of matches played 25 May 2025^[5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup[a]		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Chelsea U23	2019–20	—			—		—		—		3[b]	0	3	0
	2020–21	—			—		—		—		2[b]	0	2	0
	Total		—		—		—		—		5	0	5	0
Chelsea	2021–22	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rapid Wien (loan)	2021–22	Austrian Bundesliga	8	0	2	0	—		3[c]	0	—		13	0
Wolfsberger AC	2022–23	Austrian Bundesliga	27	6	4	1	—		3[d]	0	1[e]	0	35	7
	2023–24	Austrian Bundesliga	27	12	2	1	—		—		—		29	13
	2024–25	Austrian Bundesliga	31	10	6	3	—		—		—		37	13
	Total		85	28	12	5	0	0	3	0	1	0	101	33
Career total			93	28	14	5	0	0	6	0	6	0	119	33

1. Includes Austrian Cup
2. Appearances in the EFL Trophy
3. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
4. Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
5. Appearance in the 2022–23 Austrian Football Bundesliga#Europa Conference League play-offs

International

As of 10 June 2025

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Austria	2025	1	0
Total		1	0

Honours

Wolfsberger AC

• Austrian Cup: 2024–25