Ivorian striker Ahmed Toure has swerved Accra-based giants Hearts of Oak by arriving in Kumasi to complete a sensational return to Asante Kotoko, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively confirm.
The 27-year-old was gathered from his base in Ivory Coast and brought to Kumasi on Friday evening by staunch sympathizers of the club, Ghana's leading football news outlet www.ghanasoccernet.com can reveal.
Toure, who claims to be a free agent, was in advanced talks to join Kotoko's arch rivals Hearts of Oak but the Porcupines have moved to swoop for the talented striker by denying the Phobians.
He even played for the Phobians in a pre-season tournament - the GHALCA Top 4 - and scored on his debut for the Phobians to shoot himself back into the spotlight.
But the move by Kotoko to snatch the player will infuriate Hearts of Oak fans who thought they had secured the right replacement for Mahatma Otoo who joined a club in Norway last season.
Several clubs including Heart of Lions have also been linked with a move for the ex Lokeren player.
Toure left Kotoko in acrimonious fashion with some few months left to the expiration of his contract.
He decided not to return to the Ghanaian champions after he was handed an indefinite suspension for over staying a compassionate leave.
The Kotoko fans are thus claiming ownership of the Ivorian striker who is now in Kumasi to seal a sensational return to the club where he was most famous.