{{Short description|English-Gambian footballer (born 1994)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Use British English|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Ibou Touray |image = Touray-01.jpg |caption = Touray with Stockport County in the 2023–24 season |fullname = Ibou Omar Touray<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Salford City |publisher=English Football League |page=62 |access-date=26 October 2019}}</ref> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|12|24|df=y}} |birth_place = Liverpool, England |height = 1.77m<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/11580/Ibou-Touray/overview|title=Ibou Touray|publisher=Premier League|accessdate=19 June 2023}}</ref> |position = Left back |currentclub = Bradford City |clubnumber = 3 |youthyears1 = 2011–2014 |youthclubs1 = Everton |years1 = 2014–2015 |clubs1 = Chester |caps1 = 19 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2015–2016 |clubs2 = Rhyl |caps2 = 29 |goals2 = 2 |years3 = 2016–2017 |clubs3 = Nantwich Town |caps3 = 38 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2017–2023 |clubs4 = Salford City |caps4 = 237 |goals4 = 8 |years5 = 2023–2025 |clubs5 = Stockport County |caps5 = 75 |goals5 = 1 |years6 = 2025– |clubs6 = Bradford City |caps6 = 42 |goals6 = 0 |nationalyears1 = 2015– |nationalteam1 = Gambia |nationalcaps1 = 23 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |club-update = 21:01, 14 May 2026 (UTC) |ntupdate = 21:07, 17 September 2024 (UTC) }} '''Ibou Omar Touray''' (born 24 December 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a left back for {{English football updater|BradforC}} club Bradford City. Born in England, he plays for the Gambia national team.
Touray began his career with local team Everton, but left in 2014 having made no appearances for the first team. He spent successive seasons in the lower leagues with Chester, Rhyl, and Nantwich Town, before signing for National League North team Salford City in 2017. He helped them achieve back to back promotions in his first two seasons, first to the National League and then to League Two, the first time Salford had reached the English Football League in their history. He is the longest serving player in the clubs' history, and helped the club win the 2020 EFL Trophy Final. During his final season, he served as the team captain.
Born in England, Touray represents Gambia internationally, qualifying through his father.<ref name="TourayAllAfrica">{{cite news|title=Gambia: Citizen Spotted At EPL Side Everton FC|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201205080519.html|publisher=All Africa|date=5 August 2012|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> He made his international debut for Gambia in 2015, and represented his country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their first ever major international tournament, helping them to reach the quarter-finals.
==Club career== ===Everton=== Born in Toxteth,<ref>{{cite web |title=Keane on key quality Everton require in Salford cup tie |url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1831708/keane-on-key-quality-everton-require-in-salford-cup-tie |website=Everton FC |access-date=3 November 2021 |date=15 September 2020 |quote=Toxteth-born former Everton Academy player Ibou Touray}}</ref> Liverpool, Touray started his career at Everton, having joined the club in 2011.<ref name="Touray Everton1">{{cite news|title=Touray Signs Pro Deal |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2013/07/31/touray-signs-pro-deal |publisher=Everton F.C. |date=31 July 2013 |access-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206202047/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2013/07/31/touray-signs-pro-deal |archive-date=6 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was close to joining Liverpool before joining Everton instead.<ref name="TourayChester">{{cite web |last=Green |first=Jim |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/touray-7863072 |title=Ibou Touray loving life with the Blues |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=11 July 2016 |publisher=Chester Chronicle}}</ref> After progressing through Everton's youth system, he signed his first professional contract at the club in July 2013.<ref name="Touray Everton1"/><ref name="TourayAllAfrica"/> Although he was given a number 40 shirt in the 2013–14 season, he was released by the club in May 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2013/07/15/squad-numbers-announced|title=Squad Numbers Announced |publisher=Everton F.C. |date=15 July 2013 |access-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206202033/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2013/07/15/squad-numbers-announced |archive-date=6 December 2017 |url-status=live}}<br/>{{cite news |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/may/premier-league-clubs-submit-retained-and-released-lists.html |title=Premier League clubs submit retained and released lists |work=Premier League |date=23 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504185633/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/may/premier-league-clubs-submit-retained-and-released-lists.html |archive-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>
===Chester===
After leaving Everton in the summer, Touray went on trial at Tranmere Rovers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rowe stars for Rovers as they hold championship side Bolton at Prenton Park|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/james-rowe-stars-tranmere-rovers-7511012 |publisher=Liverpool Echo|date=25 July 2014|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> After the trial was unsuccessful, he joined Chester on 13 September 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29191314|title=Ibou Touray: Ex-Everton defender signs Chester contract|date=13 September 2014|access-date=11 July 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> having caught the eye of manager Steve Burr during a pre-season game between Tranmere and Chester.<ref name="TourayChester"/>
After appearing as an unused substitute against Woking, Touray made his Chester debut three days after joining the club, coming on as a first half substitute in a 2–0 win over Southport.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/match-report-woking-1-chester-7767081 |title=Match report: Woking 1 Chester FC 0 |publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=13 September 2014 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chester FC 2–0 Southport FC match report|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-2-0-southport-fc-7784401|publisher=Liverpool Echo|date=16 September 2014|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> After making his Chester debut, Touray quickly established himself in the starting eleven at the club, playing in the left-midfield position.<ref name="TourayChester"/> His performance attracted attention from League One side Oldham Athletic, where he was loaned out. He appeared on the substitute bench on two occasions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blues unlucky not to share spoils, says Burr|url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/chester-fc-blues-unlucky-not-8037697|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=2 November 2014|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> After returning, he appeared in every match until he was sent-off for a "wild challenge" on Nicky Clee, in a 4–1 loss to Altrincham on 31 December 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Altrincham 4 Chester FC 1: Match report |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/altrincham-4-chester-fc-1-8369816|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=31 December 2014|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> After he served a three match suspension<ref>{{cite news|title=Chester FC v Kidderminster Harriers: Match preview |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-v-kidderminster-harriers-8504146|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=23 January 2015 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> Touray lost his first team place for the rest of the season and was released by the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester FC end-of-term survey 2014–15: Results|url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-end-of-term-survey-2014-15-9248329|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=14 May 2015|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref>
===Rhyl=== After leaving Chester, Touray moved to Wales when he joined Rhyl.<ref name = "NFT">{{NFT player|59634|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gambia's Ibou Touray signs for Welsh side Rhyl FC |url=http://nagambianews.weebly.com/sports/gambias-ibou-touray-signs-for-welsh-side-rhyl-fc |publisher=Nagambia News |date=24 August 2015|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref>
Touray made his Rhyl debut in the opening game of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Bangor City on 21 August 2015, being selected for the starting 11.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rhyl FC 1 Bangor City 1: Rival bosses both take positives from stalemate |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rhyl-fc-1-bangor-city-9914217 |publisher=Daily Post |date=23 August 2015 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> After making his Rhyl debut, he established himself in the starting eleven for the side despite missing out one game through suspension.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rhyl manager Gareth Owen expects a determined Aberystwyth at Belle Vue |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/rhyl-manager-gareth-owen-expects-10393627 |publisher=Daily Post |date=5 November 2015 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> It wasn't until 9 April 2016 Touray scored his first goals, in a 5–0 win over Port Talbot Town.<ref>{{cite news |title=Welsh Premier League round-up |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/welsh-premier-league-round-up-11166019 |publisher=Daily Post |date=9 April 2016 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> Rhyl had not won in 16 matches and faced accusations of match fixing due to suspicious betting patterns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36036204 |title=FAW investigates 'suspicious betting' on Welsh Premier League match |date=13 April 2016 |access-date=13 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> After one season at Rhyl, Touray was released in May 2016.<ref name="TourayRhyl"/><ref>{{cite news|title=New Welsh Premier League season: Dave Jones' team by team guide|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/new-welsh-premier-league-season-11734124|publisher=Daily Post|date=11 August 2016|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref>
===Nantwich Town=== After being released by Rhyl,<ref name="TourayRhyl">{{cite tweet|user=rhylfc|date=15 May 2016|title=IBOU TOURAY has been released #thankyou&goodluck |number=731830122534338564}}</ref> he signed for Nantwich Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/nantwich-town-sign-ibou-touray/ |title=Nantwich Town sign Ibou Touray |work=Nantwich Town FC |date=19 May 2016|access-date=6 November 2016|publisher=Nantwich Town F.C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206215205/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/nantwich-town-sign-ibou-touray/|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> His move came after at a recommendation from the club's manager Dave Cooke.<ref>{{cite news|title=ANNOUNCEMENT: New Management Team unveiled |url=http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/new-management-team/|publisher=Nantwich Town F.C.|date=10 May 2017|access-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206221430/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/new-management-team/ |archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Touray made his Nantwich Town debut in the opening game of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Ashton United.<ref>{{cite news |title=Match Report: Ashton United 1–1 Nantwich Town |url=http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-ashton-united-nantwich-town/ |publisher=Nantwich Town F.C. |date=17 August 2016 |access-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206220506/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-ashton-united-nantwich-town/ |archive-date=6 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the season, Touray established himself in the starting eleven at Nantwich Town as a left-back.<ref>{{cite news |title=Match Report: Kidsgrove Athletic 0–4 Nantwich Town |url=http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-kidsgrove-nantwich-town/ |publisher=Nantwich Town F.C.|date=6 August 2016 |access-date=6 December 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206221020/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-kidsgrove-nantwich-town/ |url-status=live}}</ref> He'a also played a role when the club won 5–3 in the penalty shootout to the final of Cheshire Senior Cup against Warrington Town.<ref>{{cite news |title=Match Report: Nantwich Town 0–0 Warrington Town(5–3 on Pens) |url=http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-nantwich-0-0-warrington/ |publisher=Nantwich Town F.C. |date=14 March 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206221212/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-nantwich-0-0-warrington/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, the club went on to lose the final after losing to Crewe Alexandra 3–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-crewe-3-2-nantwich/|title=Match Report: Crewe Alexandra 3–2 Nantwich Town|work=Nantwich Town FC |publisher=Nantwich Town F.C.|date=5 April 2016|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206222027/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/match-report-crewe-3-2-nantwich/|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
After making 41 appearances in all competitions, Touray was awarded the club's Young Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gambia: Ibou Touray Awarded By Nantwich |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201705090900.html|publisher=All Africa|date=9 May 2017|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://standard.gm/touray-gets-clubs-young-player-year-award/ |title=Touray gets club's young player of the year award |publisher=The Standard |date=9 May 2017 |access-date=11 November 2020}}</ref>
===Salford City=== [[File:Ibou_Touray.png|thumb|left|Touray playing for Salford City in 2017.]] {{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote=He's resilient, trains every single day to his maximum... He's learning more and more about the game, certainly as a full-back and the many challenges you face. When a player is as fit as he possibly can be, he understands what's required from him in the team and he goes out and commits every day, anything can happen for him in a positive way. |source=—Touray's manager at Salford City Graham Alexander praising his character in 2019<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Charlie |url=https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2019/12/03/there-were-times-i-thought-footballs-not-for-me-salford-city-defender-ibou-touray-reveals-career-doubts/ |title="There were times I thought, 'football's not for me'" – Salford City defender Ibou Touray reveals career doubts |date=3 December 2019 |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=SalfordNow}}</ref>}}
In May 2017, he signed for Salford City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Touray Agrees Salford City Deal |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/touray-agrees-salford-city-deal/ |publisher=Salford City F.C. |date=17 May 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> Touray made his Salford City debut in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Darlington.<ref>{{cite news |title=Opening day defeat for Salford City |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/matches/salford-city-vs-darlington-05082017/ |publisher=Salford City F.C. |date=5 August 2015 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> At the conclusion of the 2018–19 season as Salford earned back-to-back promotions into the Football League, Touray scored Salford's third goal in the 2019 National League play-off final, a 3–0 victory against AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48158693 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=23 February 2024 |first=Josef |last=Rindl}}</ref> In 2021, he played in the delayed 2020 EFL Trophy final against Portsmouth, helping keep a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw before Salford won the resulting penalty shoot-out.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thorpe |first=Chris |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/portsmouth-0-0-salford-city-aet-2-4-pens-flw-reports-as-lowe-seals-cup-success-for-the-ammies/ |title=Portsmouth 0-0 Salford City (AET) (2-4 Pens): FLW reports as Lowe seals cup success for the Ammies |publisher=Football League World |date=13 March 2021 |access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref>
Following an impressive 2020–21 season, Touray was named in the 2020–21 EFL League Two Team of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony.<ref name="EFLA2021">{{Cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2022/april/football-manager-efl-team-of-the-season-line-ups-announced/ |title=Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced |publisher=EFL.com |date=24 April 2022 |access-date=25 April 2022 }}</ref> In June 2021, Touray signed a new two-year contract; Touray and manager Gary Bowyer both cited a connection with Salford's supporters as being key to the new deal.<ref>{{cite web |last=Atherton |first=Charlotte |url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2021/06/22/the-fans-have-been-great-to-me-ibou-touray-commits-his-future-to-salford-city/ |title="The fans have been great to me" – Ibou Touray commits his future to Salford City |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=28 June 2021 |work=SalfordNow}}</ref> He made his 200th appearance for ''The Ammies'' against Bristol Rovers in November 2021, cementing his record as the club's modern-day record appearance holder.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Matthew |url=https://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2021/12/17/gary-bowyer-believes-ibou-touray-could-play-as-high-as-the-championship/ |title=Gary Bowyer believes Ibou Touray could play as high as the Championship |date=17 December 2021 |access-date=25 February 2024 |work=SalfordNow}}</ref>
[[File:IbouTouray202223.jpg|thumb|left|Touray with Salford City in the 2022–23 season]]
In January 2023, he made his 250th Salford appearance in a 2–0 league win against Sutton United.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/touray-250-reaction-140123/ |title=🗣 "I'm very proud of it" - Ibou Touray's 250th appearance |work=Salford City F.C. |date=15 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023}}</ref> Along with teammate Elliot Watt, Touray was named in the EFL League Two Team of the Season for the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warner |first=Harry |url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2023/04/24/two-salford-city-players-named-in-the-league-two-team-of-the-season/ |title=Two Salford City players named in the League Two Team of the Season |date=24 April 2023 |access-date=10 May 2023 |work=Salford Now}}</ref>
===Stockport County=== In June 2023, it was announced that he would sign for Stockport County on 1 July 2023.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/touray-becomes-first-signing-of-the-summer/|title=Touray becomes first signing of the Summer|date=17 June 2023|website=Stockport County}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65938998 |title=Stockport to sign Salford skipper Touray |work=BBC Sport|date=17 June 2023 }}</ref> Touray scored his first goal for ''The Hatters'' against former club Salford at Moor Lane on 14 March 2024, scoring his teams' first to help overcome a two-goal deficit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68498005 |title=Salford City 2-2 Stockport County: Hatters fight back to take a point at Ammies |date=14 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 20 May 2025, the club announced they had offered Touray a new contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2025 |title=Kyle Knoyle: Stockport County release defender after the 2025-26 season |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c24995983qro |access-date=20 May 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Three weeks later however, the club announced Touray would be leaving once his contract expired.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2025 |title=Ibou Touray and Will Collar: Stockport confirm duo to depart |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2ql2jx388o |access-date=9 June 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Bradford City=== On 20 June 2025, it was announced that Touray would join Bradford City on 1 July 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8e4k43kd83o |title=Ibou Touray: Bradford City sign Stockport County defender |date=20 June 2025 |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> being unveiled in the club's photo shoot for their new away kit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/25253534.bradford-city-unveil-ibou-touray-away-kit-photo-shoot/|title=Bantams unveil latest signing Touray - and new sky-blue away kit |date=20 June 2025 |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> Bradford's manager Graham Alexander had previously managed Touray at Salford,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/25253606.bradford-city-ibou-touray-back-boss-graham-alexander/|title='I just knew I had to join': Touray on making Bantams move |date=20 June 2025 |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> and Alexander said that Touray would fit in with his new club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25253709.ibou-touray-will-fit-seamlessly-says-bradford-city-boss/|title='Shining example': Bantams boss says new recruit Touray is perfect fit |date=21 June 2025 |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref>
He scored his first goal for the club on 12 August 2025, scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 win away at Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25385586.ibou-touray-bradford-city-stuck-together-beat-blackburn/|title=City cup scorer Touray: 'We'll go toe to toe with whoever we're up against'|date=13 August 2025|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref>
In October 2025, Touray praised his teammates after a run of good form,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25538103.ibou-touray-confident-lay-off-wont-affect-bradford-city/|title='We've beaten a lot of big teams': Touray backs Bantams to keep rolling along|date=14 October 2025|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> saying the players were not going to get distracted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25565915.bradford-city-ibou-touray-not-distracted-giddy-reaction/|title='People get giddy': Touray says Bantams aren't listening to any 'outside noise'|date=24 October 2025|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> After a lull in form, he said in late November that the team were again improving.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25643873.bradford-city-defender-ibou-touray-expects-wins-come/|title='Back to being us': Bantams defender sees promising signs again|date=25 November 2025|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> In February 2026 he spoke about the pressure the team were under as they challenged for promotion,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25836627.bradford-citys-ibou-touray-says-pressure-will-mount/|title='Pressure starts to mount': Touray on Bantams' test of character|date=9 February 2026|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> and in April said his experience would help in the play-offs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/26025633.bradford-city-touray-knows-cope-play-off-race/|title="If you can't handle that pressure, then it's probably not for you"|date=17 April 2026|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref>
==International career== He made his international debut for Gambia in 2015.<ref name="NFT"/> Touray is eligible for Gambia through his father, who moved to England aged 16,<ref name="TheAthletic">{{cite web |last=Frostick |first=Nancy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3079454/2022/01/19/ebou-adams-and-ibou-touray-the-league-two-players-powering-the-gambias-surprise-challenge-at-afcon/ |title=Ebou Adams and Ibou Touray: The League Two players powering The Gambia's surprise challenge at AFCON |date=20 January 2022 |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=The Athletic}}</ref><ref name="SalfInt">{{cite web |last=Quick |first=Harry |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/ibou-touray-international-duty-oct21/ |title=Interview: Ibou Touray on International Duty |work=Salford City F.C. |date=21 October 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021}}</ref> and is one of several of the Gambian diaspora called up who helped the country's results improve.<ref>{{cite web |last=Al-Smith |first=Gary |url=https://theanalyst.com/eu/2022/01/saintfiets-hop-hop-gambia-dont-want-the-ball-they-just-want-to-win/ |title=Saintfiet's 'hop hop' Gambia Don't Want the Ball, They Just Want to Win |work=The Analyst |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> In a 2021 interview, Touray said that his proudest moment in international football was when Gambia drew 1–1 with Algeria, who at the time were unbeaten in over two years.<ref name="SalfInt"/>
Touray played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, his national team's first continental tournament, where they made the quarter-final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243295/lineups|title=CAFOnline.com|website=CAFOnline.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/59746378 |title=The Gambia name squad for first Nations Cup finals |work=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2021 |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref> He described representing the country at the tournament, as well as visiting the residency of Adama Barrow, the President of the Gambia, as "surreal".<ref name="TheAthletic"/> He missed the knockout stage match against Guinea through illness.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quao |first=Nathan |url=https://citisportsonline.com/2022/01/24/afcon-2021-gambia-beat-guinea-to-make-historic-quarter-final-appearance/ |title=AFCON 2021: Gambia beat Guinea to make historic quarter final appearance |work=CitiSports |date=24 January 2022 |access-date=15 January 2023}}</ref>
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Touray became the first Stockport County player to feature at a major international tournament.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/ibou-touray-set-to-make-stockport-county-history/ |title=Ibou Touray set to make Stockport County History |work=AboutManchester |date=11 September 2023 |access-date=23 February 2024}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|match played 14 May 2026}}
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Chester |2014–15<ref name = "SW">{{Soccerway|ibou-touray/310698|accessdate=14 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chester-city.co.uk/stats_first1415.asp|title=First Team Statistics 2014/15|website=www.chester-city.co.uk}}</ref> |Conference Premier |19||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||3{{Efn|name=FAT|Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in Cheshire Senior Cup}}||1||23||1 |- |Rhyl |2015–16<ref name = "SW"/> |Welsh Premier League |29||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||29||2 |- |Nantwich Town |2016–17<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/archive5368-match-info/results/357137/2016-08|title=Results - The Pitching In Northern Premier League|website=www.thenpl.co.uk}}</ref> |NPL Premier Division |38||0||5||0||1||0||9{{Efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy, five appearances in Cheshire Senior Cup, one appearance in NPL Premier Division play-offs}}||0||53||0 |- |rowspan="7"|Salford City |2017–18<ref name = "SW"/> |National League North |39||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||39||0 |- |2018–19<ref name = "SW"/><ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2018|accessdate=14 April 2021}}</ref> |National League |45||3||3||0||colspan=2|—||4{{Efn|Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League play-offs}}||0||52||3 |- |2019–20<ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2019|accessdate=14 April 2021}}</ref> |League Two |35||4||2||1||1||0||4{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}||0||42||5 |- |2020–21<ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2020|accessdate=14 April 2021}}</ref> |League Two |46||1||1||0||2||0||2{{Efn|name=FLT}}{{Efn|Includes appearance in the 2020 EFL Trophy final which was postponed until 13 March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2020/march/efl-statement-leasing.com-trophy-final|title=EFL statement: Leasing.com Trophy Final|website=www.efl.com}}</ref>}}||0||51||1 |- |2021–22<ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2021|accessdate=8 August 2021}}</ref> |League Two |27||0||2||0||1||0||2{{Efn|name=FLT}}||1||32||1 |- |2022–23<ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2022|accessdate=15 January 2023}}</ref> |League Two |45||0||2||0||1||0||8{{Efn|Six appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs}}||0||56||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !237||8||10||1||5||0||20||1||272||10 |- |rowspan="3"|Stockport County |2023–24<ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2023|accessdate=15 January 2023}}</ref> |League Two |32||1||2||0||1||0||3{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||38||1 |- |2024–25<ref>{{soccerbase season|70731|2024|accessdate=12 May 2025}}</ref> |League One |43||0||3||0||1||0||3{{Efn|One appearance in the EFL Trophy, two appearances in the EFL League One play-offs}}||0||50||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !75||1||3||0||1||0||3||0||88||1 |- |Bradford City |2025–26 |League One |42||0||1||0||3||1||6{{Efn|Four appearances in the EFL Trophy, two appearances in the play-offs}}||0||52||1 |- !colspan=3|Career total !440||11||22||1||11||1||44||2||517||15 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=7|Gambia<ref name = "NFT"/> |2015||1||0 |- |2016||2||0 |- |2019||3||0 |- |2021||2||0 |- |2022||9||0 |- |2023||4||0 |- |2024||3||0 |- !colspan=2|Total!!23!!0 |}
==Honours== '''Salford City''' *National League play-offs: 2019<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48158693 |title=AFC Fylde 0–3 Salford City |first=Josef |last=Rindl |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref> *National League North: 2017–18<ref>{{cite web|date=21 April 2018|title=Salford City: Club co-owned by former Man Utd players promoted to National League|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43852748|access-date=6 September 2020|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> *EFL Trophy: 2019–20<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56320947 |title=Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City |first=Adam |last=Williams |website=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2021 |access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref>
'''Stockport County''' *EFL League Two: 2023–24<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/join-us-in-league-one-next-season/|title=Join us in League One next season|date=7 May 2024|website=Stockport County}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *Salford City Player of the Season: 2019–20<ref>{{cite news |url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/end-of-season-awards-1920/ |title=End of Season Awards 2019–20 |website=Salford City FC |date=24 July 2020 |access-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712023651/https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/end-of-season-awards-1920/ |archive-date=12 July 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref> *EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2020–21,<ref name="EFLA2021" /> 2022–23<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2023 |title=EFL Team of the Season line-ups revealed |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2023/april/efl-team-of-the-season-line-ups-revealed/ |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=English Football League}}</ref> *PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 League Two,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66650723 |title=Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2023 |access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref> 2023–24 League Two<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2024/8/20/pfa-league-two-team-of-the-year-2024 |title=PFA League Two Team of the Year |website=PFA |date=20 August 2024 |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{NFT_player|59634}}
{{Bradford City A.F.C. squad}} {{Navboxes | title = Gambia squads | bg = #0C1C8C | fg = white | bordercolor = #CE1126 | list = {{Gambia squad 2021 Africa Cup of Nations}} {{Gambia squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}} }} {{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = Gold | fg = navy | list1 = {{Salford City F.C. Player of the Year}} {{2020–21 EFL League Two Team of the Season}} {{2022–23 EFL League Two Team of the Season}} {{2022–23 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}} {{2023–24 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Touray, Ibou}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:English men's footballers Category:Naturalized citizens of The Gambia Category:21st-century Gambian people Category:Gambian men's footballers Category:The Gambia men's international footballers Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Everton F.C. players Category:Chester F.C. players Category:Rhyl F.C. players Category:Nantwich Town F.C. players Category:Salford City F.C. players Category:Stockport County F.C. players Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:Cymru Premier players Category:English people of Gambian descent Category:Footballers from Liverpool Category:People from Toxteth Category:2021 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players Category:Black British sportsmen Category:English Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen