Latte Lath's journey from street games and Carrick to new start in Germany

What the report says

Emmanuel Latte Lath’s career has taken another turn with a loan move to Union Berlin, adding Germany to a life shaped by repeated changes since childhood. BBC Sport reports that the 27-year-old Ivory Coast forward left his home country for Italy at a young age, after first learning he would move when he was six and then making the journey two years later. He described the early move as frightening, but said being reunited with his father in Italy helped him adjust and refocus on football.

The article traces how street football in Ivory Coast helped build his competitive style before he joined Atalanta’s academy in 2015. Although he scored once for the first team, he then spent several years on loan across clubs in Italy and Switzerland as he tried to break through in a demanding system. BBC Sport notes that this included a prolific spell at St Gallen, which later led to a move to Middlesbrough in 2023.

At Middlesbrough, Latte Lath credits former head coach Michael Carrick with giving him confidence and calm guidance. He went on to score 29 goals in 67 matches and earn a major move to Atlanta United, before returning to Europe after an underwhelming stint in Major League Soccer. His current loan at Union Berlin has already given him a fresh environment, with the club’s fan culture and Berlin’s diversity standing out to him, according to the report.