By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Kei Ansu Kamara, 36 has opted for a second stint of European football having appended his signature for Finnish club HIFK Helsinki.
“I am happy to be part of the most historic club in Finland,” Kamara stated, in expressing delight about the contract. He signed for the Helsinki side until the end of the season with an option to extend his contract.
Kamara is set to make his debut at the historic Bolt Arena soon when the Finnish club play their next home league match. The club finished in 8th position out of 12 teams last season in the Veikkausliga, Finland’s top tier.
The striker has been without a contract after a short spell with Major League Soccer side, Minnesota United.
Kamara’s first outing in Europe was in 2013 with then Premier League side, Norwich City where he scored an important equaliser against Everton as the club was battling relegation. The veteran striker is the first and only Sierra Leonean to score in the English topflight league.
He started his career at the Major League Soccer (MLS) when he was drafted by Columbus Crew. He spent two unsuccessful seasons there before opting down south to Texas based club, Houston Dynamo. Kamara will go on to be a cult hero for Sporting Kansas City. He later returned to Sporting Kansas City again after his career took a dip due to injuries at English Championship side, Middleborough.
The veteran striker later returned to Columbus Crew where his performance earned him a space in the MLS All Star team ending the season with second most goals. At Vancouver White Caps, he made history by scoring his hundredth goal. Kamara is leaving the MLS after capping for eight different clubs and becoming the fifth all-time highest goal scorer.
A couple of month ago, Kei scored Sierra Leone’s all important goal from the spot in the 19th minute against Benin ,ending his country’s 25 years hiatus from African Cup of Nations (AfCON). The striker is looking forward to representing Sierra Leone in the AfCON in Cameroon which is scheduled in January 2022.
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