Union Berlin forward Emmanuel Latte Lath has spoken to BBC Sport about moving from Ivory Coast to Italy as a child and about the career that later took him across Europe and the United States. BBC Sport said he moved back to Europe on loan to Union Berlin in the summer and is now playing for the club.
Move from Ivory Coast to Italy
Latte Lath told BBC Sport he was eight years old when he moved from Ivory Coast to Italy, where he would be reunited with his father. The 27-year-old said: "It was important because when I was born, it wasn't that close."
The 27-year-old said: "He went to Italy to find a better life, so it wasn't that easy talking with him every time by phone. I was missing this part from my father."
The 27-year-old said: "When I saw him, it was kind of a new life, new motivation to stay close to my father, and then everything started again. It looks like I had two lives."
Early football experiences
Latte Lath said that before he arrived in Italy he had never played in boots and had never been part of an official team. The ex-Middlesbrough striker tells BBC Sport: "I started to realise when I was on the plane and I saw people different than me, I was a bit scared."
Latte Lath explains: "Me and my five friends, we just built our team and we would go to play against another city, there was like no pressure, nothing."
Latte Lath explains: "It was just funny moments, enjoying football there, and it was quite competitive because it was almost every time finishing in some fights, so it was street rules. I was one of the most competitive."
Latte Lath explains: "I missed it. Always together, being with my friends. It was really, really fun."
Atalanta and Middlesbrough spell
BBC Sport said Latte Lath joined Atalanta's academy in 2015. Two years later, he scored against Juventus in his third appearance for Atalanta in the Coppa Italia.
BBC Sport said that was the only goal Latte Lath scored for Atalanta and the last time he wore the shirt competitively. BBC Sport said he then embarked on a nomadic five-year journey on loan to eight clubs.
After a loan spell with St. Gallen, Latte Lath moved to Middlesbrough in 2023. BBC Sport said Michael Carrick was the head coach when he arrived, and Latte Lath scored 29 goals in 67 games for Middlesbrough.
Latte Lath said: "I found a good coach and a good person. It gave me straight away confidence."
Latte Lath said: "He was a calm person, a calm coach, maybe sometimes too much, but it was needed for us. He knew always when and what he should say to you in the difficult moment or in the good moment."
Latte Lath said: "So for me, I think in that point of my life, it was really important."
Atlanta United and Union Berlin
BBC Sport said Latte Lath then moved to Atlanta United as the most expensive signing in MLS history at the time. BBC Sport said his time in America did not live up to expectations.
BBC Sport said he moved back to Europe on loan to Union Berlin in the summer. The Union Berlin striker said: "I arrived here and I am surprised because the fans' passion is crazy. This is something new for me. It gives me an extra muscle, another power to do well."
Latte Lath said: "Berlin is huge, I love different cultures, and you can find different cultures and people. I think I can fit in because I grew up with different friends and cultures."