![Colin Hay Discusses Men at Work, His Solo Career, and the Music Biz [Part Two]](https://fastly-s3.allmusic.com/cms/31084/ColinHayInterview__large.jpg?#)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66321622/1206682849.jpg.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67131045/1261725039.jpg.0.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/02/04/3880159-78836108-2560-1440.jpg)
Chelsea legend Salomon Kalou launches surprise new career
Despite hanging up the boots in 2024, Salomon Kalou has not allowed himself to remain idle. Earlier this year, the former Chelsea winger-turned-entrepreneur announced the launch of his venture in a realm very few, if any, footballers enter in their post-playing days. Kalou decided he would give Willy Wonka a run for his money and created his own chocolate brand, Oume. The name of the brand holds special meaning to Kalou given it was the town in the Ivory Coast he grew up in. In an interview with The Telegraph last May, Kalou opened up on his unusual journey into the business of chocolate. Why did Kalou start a chocolate business? “Growing up, I don’t remember eating chocolate and didn’t know what it was,” Kalou said. “It’s expensive. It’s more of a privilege, for people who can afford to buy it because it is expensive. “People don’t know what they make in their farms is for chocolate. But we have a big percentage of the production. We also have great footballers. “To make a comparison between the two, a product can come out of the Ivory Coast and go global. A footballer can be born in Oume and come to Chelsea and win the Champions League, can be global.” If Kalou’s chocolate is as good as his football career, confectionery enthusiasts are in for a treat. Kalou’s football career at a glance The Ivorian made his name with Feyenoord, where he scored 39 goals in 78 appearances across all competitions. Kalou’s form with the Dutch side earned him a move to Chelsea in May 2006. Kalou’s best goalscoring season for Chelsea came in the 2010/11 campaign, when he slammed home 13 goals in 42 matchesRichard Pelham The 40-year-old went on to enjoy six seasons at Stamford Bridge and played in over 250 games for the Blues. Kalou, who scored 60 goals during his time with Chelsea, also picked up plenty of silverware in his time at the club. Upon his departure in July 2012, Kalou had won the Premier League, four FA Cups, the League Cup and the Champions League. Kalou’s entire trophy haul with Chelsea proved to be the only pieces of silverware he won in his club career. At international level, Kalou won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast in 2015, the second time the nation had ever won the tournament having previously done so in 1992. After leaving Chelsea, Kalou went on to play for Lille, Hertha Berlin, Botafogo and AS Arta. Kalou was reunited with a number of his former teammates for the Chelsea Legends matchChelsea FC via Getty Kalou returned to the Bridge after over a decade away as he was involved in the Chelsea and Liverpool legends match on Saturday. Joining Kalou in the Chelsea line-up was a who’s who of former Blues heroes, including John Terry, Eden Hazard, John Obi Mikel, Claude Makelele and Petr Cech to name five. Diego Costa was even dealt a yellow card after rekindling his rivalry with Martin Skrtel, with the pair squaring up to each other after the angry Spaniard kicked out at the Liverpool centre-back.
Despite hanging up the boots in 2024, Salomon Kalou has not allowed himself to remain idle.
Earlier this year, the former Chelsea winger-turned-entrepreneur announced the launch of his venture in a realm very few, if any, footballers enter in their post-playing days.
Kalou decided he would give Willy Wonka a run for his money and created his own chocolate brand, Oume.
The name of the brand holds special meaning to Kalou given it was the town in the Ivory Coast he grew up in.
In an interview with The Telegraph last May, Kalou opened up on his unusual journey into the business of chocolate.
Why did Kalou start a chocolate business?
“Growing up, I don’t remember eating chocolate and didn’t know what it was,” Kalou said.
“It’s expensive. It’s more of a privilege, for people who can afford to buy it because it is expensive.
“People don’t know what they make in their farms is for chocolate. But we have a big percentage of the production. We also have great footballers.
“To make a comparison between the two, a product can come out of the Ivory Coast and go global. A footballer can be born in Oume and come to Chelsea and win the Champions League, can be global.”
If Kalou’s chocolate is as good as his football career, confectionery enthusiasts are in for a treat.
Kalou’s football career at a glance
The Ivorian made his name with Feyenoord, where he scored 39 goals in 78 appearances across all competitions.
Kalou’s form with the Dutch side earned him a move to Chelsea in May 2006.
The 40-year-old went on to enjoy six seasons at Stamford Bridge and played in over 250 games for the Blues.
Kalou, who scored 60 goals during his time with Chelsea, also picked up plenty of silverware in his time at the club.
Upon his departure in July 2012, Kalou had won the Premier League, four FA Cups, the League Cup and the Champions League.
Kalou’s entire trophy haul with Chelsea proved to be the only pieces of silverware he won in his club career.
At international level, Kalou won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast in 2015, the second time the nation had ever won the tournament having previously done so in 1992.
After leaving Chelsea, Kalou went on to play for Lille, Hertha Berlin, Botafogo and AS Arta.
Kalou returned to the Bridge after over a decade away as he was involved in the Chelsea and Liverpool legends match on Saturday.
Joining Kalou in the Chelsea line-up was a who’s who of former Blues heroes, including John Terry, Eden Hazard, John Obi Mikel, Claude Makelele and Petr Cech to name five.
Diego Costa was even dealt a yellow card after rekindling his rivalry with Martin Skrtel, with the pair squaring up to each other after the angry Spaniard kicked out at the Liverpool centre-back.
