Mohamed Sanousy Simakan (born 3 May 2000) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
Born in Marseille to Guinean parents, Simakan acquired French nationality on 7 November 2005, through the collective effect of his mother's naturalization.
On 16 May 2018, Simakan signed his first professional contract with Strasbourg. He made his professional debut in a 3âÂÂ1 UEFA Europa League win over Maccabi Haifa on 25 July 2019.
On 22 March 2021, Simakan agreed to join German club RB Leipzig on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, to be effective in the summer of 2021. He made his debut for the club in the First round of the DFB Pokal against SV Sandhausen, which ended in a 4âÂÂ0 win. He made his Champions League debut on 21 September 2021, in a 2âÂÂ1 defeat to Club Brugge. Simakan immediately became an important player for the club, taking part in 28 Bundesliga matches, He missed two matches during the season due to the COVID-19 virus. He was also instrumental in the DFB Pokal, where he took part in all the matches on route to Leipzig winning the title.
In his second season with the club, Simaken continued to be an important part of the team, as he played 24 matches in the league, scoring once. On 6 September 2022, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4âÂÂ1 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk. Simaken participated in 5 matches in the DFB Pokal, where RB Leipzig won the competition for the second straight season, however he was an unused substitute in the final.
On 19 September 2023, he scored the first ever goal of the 2023âÂÂ24 Champions League season in the 3rd minute of a 3âÂÂ1 away win over Young Boys.
On 2 September 2024, Simakan joined Saudi Pro League runners-up Al-Nassr for â¬45 million.
Thanks to his great performance with Strasbourg in Ligue 1, Simakan was called up by Bernard Diomède to play for France U20 national team. He played his first game as a starter against Slovenia in which he scored a header contributing to his team's 2âÂÂ2 draw.
RB Leipzig
Al-Nassr