WINDSOR, Colo. — Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC today announced that 21-year-old forward and Ivory Coast youth international Brahima Ouattara has been signed for 2024, pending league and federation approval.

The Bouaké, Ivory Coast native began his professional career in 2018 with Racing Club Abidjan in the Ivorian Ligue 1. Between 2018 and 2021 Ouattara made more than 50 appearances for the Lions and scored 20 goals across league and CAF Champions League play.

From RC Abidjan - a partner club of British chemical company INEOS - Ouattara was purchased by INEOS-owned, French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice in 2020 and was subsequently loaned to Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport - also owned by INEOS. Across two years in Lausanne, Ouattara made 41 appearances and tallied seven goal contributions across Super League and Swiss Cup play.

In the summer of 2022, Ouattara returned to Nice and later joined Swiss Challenge League club Neuchâtel Xamax FCS on a free transfer. In 12 appearances with Xamax during the 2022-23 Challenge League season, Ouattara scored three goals.

After a brief return to RC Abidjan at the beginning of 2023, Ouattara signed with top-flight Latvian Virslīga side FK Auda. In three matches with Auda in 2023, Ouattara combined for two goals in 107 minutes of league play.

Ouattara made four appearances for the Ivory Coast's U-20 youth national team in the 2021 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, scoring two goals in four matches. In March 2023, Ouattara made one appearance for les Petit Éléphants' U-23 team in a friendly match against Uzbekistan.

"I think he's going to be really exciting, and I expect him to tear it up," Northern Colorado Head Coach Éamon Zayed said. "As a fan, I'd be really excited to see him play."