FOREST GREEN’S enforcer has insisted he has learned from his past mistakes and has grown up after the tragic loss of his mother, writes Liam Lines.

Drissa Traore joined Forest Green in the summer of 2016 after he was released by Swindon Town.

During his time at Swindon, Traore and two other players found themselves brought to the attention of the national media after sceenshots being released from, Twitter’s video streaming service Periscope, of the group ‘inhaling nitrous oxide also known as ‘laughing gas’.

Traore would later apologise and be fined by Swindon, before being released from the club at the end of the 2015/16 season.

But the 25-year-old is thankful of Mark Cooper’s faith and providing him with the opportunity to play in England.

“I made a mistake when I was at Swindon,” Traore admitted.

“I think everyone saw that either from the newspapers or on Sky Sports. They showed me smoking shisha and soon after Swindon released me."

Traore continues to show his appreciation for what manager Cooper and the club have done for him since his mother passed away in July, by letting him travel to look after his six-year-old sister in France.

“Things are going well, I found someone to look after her in France and when I get a weekend off I try to fly back to Paris.

“The manager has helped me a lot and the club as well. I really appreciate it because now I'm stronger. I have to be stronger for everyone because I’ve got everyone on my shoulders. I have to fight for her,” he said.

And thanks to the support through such a tragic time and learning from previous mistakes, Traore has felt his attitude has changed and the role football plays in his life.

“The only thing that can make me happy and forget everything is when I play football because it’s the passion for me, when I’m on the pitch I just focus on the football.”