Celtic outcast Eboue Kouassi says he can follow the same path as compatriot Yaya Youre as he looks to revive his career.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder has joined Genk on loan until the end of the season and the Belgian side have an option to buy him in the summer if he impresses.
Kouassi's time at Parkhead was an expensive disaster - he hasn't featured for 15 months and was completely frozen out by manager Neil Lennon.
He made just seven league starts since Celtic forked out a chunky £2.8 million fee to sign him three years ago from Krasnodar and he failed to score a single goal.
But he's convinced this move to Belgium can revitalise his career, because ex- Manchester City legend and Ivory Coast countryman Toure spent three years in Belgian football with Beveren before hitting the big time.
Kouassi said: "I'm working hard to get fully fit again and this is a great new challenge for me.
"My hero has always been Yaya Toure. He spent a few years in Belgium and look where he ended up. So that's my motivation here."
But Genk want him to prove himself if they are to make the move permanent.
Their sports director Dimitri de Conde explained: "He now has four months to show what he is capable of and whether he has what it takes to be in our squad next season.
"We have been following Eboue since he was in Russia before he went to Celtic and we have continued to watch his career.
"He is very keen to show us what he can do and whether he can fulfill his potential.
"At Celtic, he started off in their team, but got a serious knee injury. As a result, it will take time to get him fully fit again. But he is a player with many qualities."
