Sékou Mara (born 30 July 2002) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Strasbourg.
Mara is a product of the Bordeaux academy and made his professional debut for the club in February 2021. He moved to English club Southampton in July 2022 before returning to France with Strasbourg in August 2024. Mara spent the 2025–26 season on loan at Auxerre. He has represented his country at youth levels.
Club career
Bordeaux Mara made his professional debut for Bordeaux in a 2–0 Coupe de France loss to Toulouse on 10 February 2021. He scored his first professional goal in a 1–0 Ligue 1 win over Rennes on 2 May 2021. By scoring this goal, he became the youngest player to score a league goal for Bordeaux in almost 14 years.
Southampton On 21 July 2022, it was confirmed by Bordeaux that they had accepted an offer from Southampton for Mara, and that the deal was subject to a medical. On 25 July 2022, Southampton confirmed that Mara had signed a four-year deal with the club. On 13 August 2022, Mara made his first Premier League appearance in Southampton’s 2–2 draw with Leeds United after he replaced Jan Bednarek. On 11 January 2023, Mara scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 quarter final EFL Cup victory against Manchester City. On 8 April 2023, Mara scored his first Premier League goal in a 1–4 defeat against Manchester City.
On 13 April 2024, he came on as a substitute for Ché Adams in the 80th minute of a 3–2 victory against Watford. Shortly afterwards, Mara struck Ryan Porteous in an unpunished off-the-ball incident. On 16 April 2024, the Football Association gave Mara a three-match suspension for violent conduct.
Strasbourg On 21 August 2024, Mara joined Strasbourg on a five-year contract. On 5 September 2025, Mara was loaned by Auxerre, also in Ligue 1.
International career Mara is a youth international for France. He has played matches at under-16, under-17, under-20, and under-21 level.
Personal life Mara's mother, Audrey Crespo-Mara, is a French journalist and television presenter, and his father, Aliou Mara, is a Senegalese entrepreneur.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBordeaux B2019–20Championnat National 3115———1152020–21Championnat National 330———30Total145———145Bordeaux2020–21Ligue 18110——912021–22Ligue 126610——276Total34720——367Southampton2022–23Premier League2213051—3022023–24Championship2834310103462024–25Premier League000000—00Total504736110648Strasbourg2024–25Ligue 125122——2732025–26Ligue 10000——002026–27Ligue 12000——20Total27122——293Auxerre (loan)2025–26Ligue 127300——273Career total15220115611017026
Honours Individual Maurice Revello Tournament Golden Boot: 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament Silver Ball: 2022 Maurice Revello Tournament Best XI: 2022
References
External links