Souleymane Sané (born 26 February 1961) is a Senegalese-French former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is widely recognized for his extensive career in German football and as the father of professional footballers Leroy Sané and Sidi Sané.
Early Life and Club Career
Born in Dakar, Senegal, Sané moved to France at a young age before embarking on his professional football career. Known for his exceptional speed and goal-scoring prowess, he spent the majority of his playing days in Germany, becoming one of the first prominent African players in German professional football.His notable club stints include:
- SC Freiburg: Where he became a prolific scorer.
- 1. FC Nürnberg
- SG Wattenscheid 09: Achieved significant success, including promotion to the [[Bundesliga]].
- FC Tirol Innsbruck (Austria)
- Schwarz-Weiss Essen
- Wuppertaler SV
Sané holds the distinction of being the first African player to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga.
International Career
Sané represented the [[Senegal national football team]] on numerous occasions throughout his career. He was a key figure for his national side, participating in various international competitions.Personal Life
Souleymane Sané is married to Regina Sané, a former German rhythmic gymnast and Olympic bronze medalist. They have three sons, all of whom have pursued football careers:- [[Leroy Sané]]: A highly successful professional footballer who plays for [[FC Bayern Munich]] and the [[Germany national football team]].
- Sidi Sané: Also a professional footballer.
- Kim Sané: The eldest brother, who has also played football professionally in lower leagues.