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12 African Players To Watch In The Spanish La Liga This Season

12 African Players To Watch In The Spanish La Liga This Season

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The Spanish La Liga is an incredibly popular league, with top quality soccer stars from around the world aiming to make their mark in Spain, including some of the best African players.

The 2016-17 season in Spain is getting exciting, with players from the continent determined to contribute quality performances for their Spanish clubs in the top-flight.

Here are 12 African players to look out for in the Spanish La Liga this season.

Sources: Fourfourtwo, TransferMarkt, Goal, LaLiga, ESPNFC.

Kevin Prince Boateng playing for Las Palmas
Kevin Prince Boateng playing for Las Palmas – dailymail.co.uk

Kevin-Prince Boateng – Las Palmas

Retired Ghana midfielder Boateng is as combative as they come, and adds some serious power to the attack and defensive areas of the midfield for his side. The former AC Milan man has been doing well for Canary Island club Las Palmas, and will no doubt be a standout player for them come the end of the season.

Bakary Koné of Malaga
Bakary Koné of Malaga has been a positive signing for the club (senegal.niooz.fr)

Bakary Koné – Malaga

Burkina Faso defender Kone joined Malaga this season, adding experience and temperament to the Spanish side’s backline. The 28-year-old is capable of threatening in attack from set pieces, chipping in with the odd goal to help his side up front.

Spanish La Liga - Thomas Partey at Atletico Madrid
Thomas Partey represents Ghana at Atletico Madrid – (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Thomas Partey – Atletico Madrid

The 2015-16 UEFA Champions League runner-up with his Madrid club continues his rise in Spanish soccer with Diego Simeone’s side. His hard work as a defensive midfielder makes the 23-year-old Ghanaian an asset for the Spanish outfit, and a useful player in a long season with many titles in their sights.

Aymen Abdennour – onlyfootball.fr
Aymen Abdennour has a tough job ahead of him – onlyfootball.fr

Aymen Abdennour – Valencia

The Tunisian defender was recently on target for his national team, showing his ability to be dangerous in attack while solid in defence. Valencia has been struggling this season, and they need experienced players like Abdennour to work hard in their fight against relegation.

Cédric Bakambu scores for Villarreal
Cédric Bakambu scores for Villarreal (fourfourtwo.com)

Cédric Bakambu – Villarreal

The Democratic Republic of Congo international has been scoring goals for the Yellow Submarine in La Liga. The 25-year-old Villarreal striker has enjoyed interest from English Premier League clubs and Barcelona after scoring 22 goals in all competitions last season.

Mamadou Kone - leganesactivo.com
Mamadou Kone may reignite his career at Leganes – leganesactivo.com

Mamadou Koné – Leganés

Ivorian Mamadou Koné made his debut in La Liga aged 15 for Racing Santander. The striker has failed to make the most of his talents in Spain, though a new start with Leganes made be what he needed to reignite his career.

Uche Agbo attempts to tackle Lionel Messi
Uche Agbo attempts to tackle Lionel Messi (goal.com)

Uche Agbo – Granada

Agbo is Granada’s Nigerian starlet, on loan to the club from English side Watford. The 20-year-old is versatile, enabling him to be deployed as a defender of defensive midfielder. He received his first call-up to the Super Eagles last week for their World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

Papakouli Diop representing Espanyol
Papakouli Diop representing Espanyol (alchetron.com)

Papakouli Diop – Espanyol

The 30-year-old Senegalese defensive midfielder has spent most of his career in Spain, and continues to be an important player for Barcelona-based club, Espanyol. He has represented the Senegal national team sporadically since 2010.

Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez joined Granada from Benfica
Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez joined Granada from Benfica (granadacf.es)

Mehdi Carcela-González – Granada

Belgian-born Morocco international Mehdi Carcela-González recently transferred to the Granada from Benfica in Portugal, bringing with him a wealth of experience. The 27-year-old midfielder has already scored a couple of goals for his new Spanish club.

Alfred N'diaye at Villarreal (zimbio.com)
Alfred N’diaye at Villarreal (zimbio.com)

Alfred N’Diaye – Villarreal

Former Real Betis player joined Villarreal at the start of this season, and will no doubt be an asset for the Spanish club. The Paris-born Senegal international is 26 years old, and with a five-year deal signed, he will be a fixture in midfield for some time to come.

Morocco's Faycal Fajr playing for Deportivo (foxsports.com)
Morocco’s Faycal Fajr playing for Deportivo (foxsports.com)

Fayçal Fajr – Deportivo

The 28-year-old Moroccan international is an important player for Deportivo La Coruna in his role as an attacking midfielder. His flair and instinct up front allow him to contribute goals and assists for team-mates.

Pape Cheikh Diop
Pape Cheikh Diop is a talented youngster (canteiraceleste.com)

Pape Cheikh Diop – Celta de Vigo

The 19-year-old Senegalese starlet moved to Spain when he was only 14, and has since become a Spanish under-18 and U19 international. He was promoted to the Celta first team last year, and continues to show great potential.