Category: Players Abroad News

Sierra Leone fasting growing digital football website is passionately on all topics of National and International news, identifying our soccer stars.

Attacker Fofin Turay extends FC Groningen deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Fofin Turay extends FC Groningen deal

FC Groningen has extended Fofin Turay’s contract until the summer of 2026, the deal includes an additional season run. 

With Sierra Leonean ancestry, Turay was born and grew up in Groningen. Starting football at GVAV Rapiditas, the 21-year-old winger joined FC Groningen’s Under12s, the youngest youth team, in 2015.

Making his first team debut in the 2023/24 season in the first home game of the season, Turay finished his academy training at Corpus den Hoorn successfully.

During the KKD season, Turay appeared in three cup games and sixteen league matches. Away to Ajax last season, he made his Eredivisie debut. Until his injury, he also played for FC Groningen under21.

Turay was hurt during training camp over the winter break last season, which prevented him from missing the whole second half of the season.

With this contract extension, FC Groningen is offering the homegrown player the time and space to concentrate on a full recovery, with the assistance of the specialists and amenities at the Top sport Zorg Centrum.

Turay has already played his first few matches in preparation for this new football season.

Osman Kakay set for Kosice Uefa Conference League debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osman Kakay set for Kosice Uefa Conference League debut

Sierra Leone international, Osman Kakay is set to make his UEFA Conference League debut as his Slovakian side FK Košice play host to Belarusians Neman Grodno this Thursday and the return leg six days later.

Kakay, 27, signed a two-year deal with FK Košice and should feature in the game after his impressive first game in a friendly 1-1 draw with Diósgyőr VTK in Hungary on Saturday.

The UEFA Conference League for the 2025/26 season opened its Second qualifying round qualifying stage, which will conclude on August 28.

Košice gained entry to the competition after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the UEFA Club Financial Control Body’s decision to refuse FC Dunajská Streda’s admission to the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League, for a breach of the multi-club ownership rule (Article 5.01 of the UEFA Club Competition Regulations).

In such case, the place of the club which has been relegated shall be taken by the club that finishes in the relegations places, except that the latter shall only be admitted in accordance with the eligibility criteria of the competition in question.

As a result, after confirmation from the Slovak Football Association (SFZ), FC Dunajská Streda will be replaced by FK Košice, the next best-placed club in last season’s top domestic championship.

Sierra Leone wingerJonathan Morsay pens Panionios deal until 2027
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone winger Jonathan Morsay pens Panionios deal until 2027

Super League Greece 2 side Panionios has confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone international Jonathan Morsay on a two-year deal that will run until the summer of 2027.

“We are pleased to announce our collaboration with international winger Jonathan Morsay, who has signed a two-year contract with our team.”

The 27-year-old winger began his career at the Swedish club GIF Sundsvall before moving to Italy to play for Chievo Verona.

In 2021, he joined Dinamo București and later that summer moved to Greece to play for Panaitolikos, where he made 56 appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists in the Super League.

He then played for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, with his most recent stop being Kalamata, where he made 17 appearances, scored five goals, and provided two assists in Super League 2.

Jonathan is also an international player for the Sierra Leone national team, earning seven caps and scoring one goal.

He participated in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where he scored his first international goal, and has also played in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Augustus Kargbo returns to full fitness in Blackburn Rovers win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo returns to full fitness in Blackburn Rovers win

After completing fitness, Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo made his return as Dion De Neve’s early goal ensured a 1-0 victory for Rovers versus Premier League Everton at Ewood Park.

Part of the rover’s triumph over Everton on Saturday was Kargbo, who had a hamstring injury against Derby County in March. Appreciated being back outside at home; even better with the victory; thank you for your support, he wrote on Facebook.

De Neve’s seventh-minute goal after latching onto Callum Brittain’s low pass offered a great start for home fans.

With Mark Travers in particular keeping the scoreline close by late-game crucial saves against Harry Pickering and Augustus Kargbo, Rovers earned their triumph against a tough Everton team, including many internationals.

Manager Valerien Ismael brought Balazs Toth, Callum Brittain, and Todd Cantwell back following their absence in the past game to present a strong lineup. Everton also had appearances by former Rovers players Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Keane.

Following De Neve’s opening, Everton replied with a close attempt from Idrissa Gana Gueye, but it missed wide. Rovers could have increased their lead with a Dom Hyam header that went just past the mark and a Yuki Ohashi opportunity going over the bar, among other possibilities.

Though Everton pressed, Rovers kept their advantage, and the game was still tight with a blocked shot from Carlos Alcaraz right before halftime. Early in the second half, Toth made a fantastic save against Iliman Ndiaye; O’Brien and Pickering’s attempts from Rovers continued to pose threats.

Kargbo challenged Travers with a strong shot in the dying seconds, but Rovers preserved their lead for a well-earned triumph.

Defender Osman Kakay makes Košice FC debut in friendly draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Osman Kakay makes Košice debut in friendly draw

Sierra Leone international Osman Kakay made his debut for Košice in a 1-1 draw against the Hungarian team Diósgyőr VTK during their final summer training camp.

Karlo Miljanić scored the equaliser in the second half. This game was also a final test for the yellow-blues before they started their journey in the European Cup. Coach Roman Skuhravý fielded Osman Kakay, who recently transferred from Boavista Porto, giving the match added significance.

Košice will play their next match at home on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., against the Belarusian club Neman Grodno. This match will be the opening round of the second qualifying phase for the European Conference League.

Right-back Osman Kakay joins FC Kosice in Slovakia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Right-back Osman Kakay joins FC Kosice in Slovakia

Slovak First League club FC Košice has signed Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay on a free transfer until May 2027.

In two preseason games for League One team Blackpool against Accrington Stanley and AFC Fylde, the former QPR player showed up. He has formally become part of his new team in Nike League Central Europe.

“We needed to strengthen the right side, and we managed to get Osman Kakay, who is a very honest and experienced footballer. He has hard work, discipline and footballing ability. He proved it at Queens Park Rangers and also at Boavista Porto. He is exactly the type of footballer that we are missing, and I am convinced that a very high-quality player is coming to us,” said FC Košice sports director Marek Sapara regarding the new reinforcement.

As his new team will be playing in the UEFA Conference League, this move offers a fantastic chance for the defender to revive his career.

Košice came in fifth place last season and qualified for the semifinals of the Slovak First Football League playoff for a European spot, but FK Železiarne Podbrezová defeated them in a penalty shootout.

Košice was given a place in the UEFA Conference League, nevertheless since FC Dunajská Streda was eliminated due to common ownership with another team competing in the Conference League.

Sierra Leone international Kakay developed his skills in the QPR academy and gained experience through loan spells with Livingston, Chesterfield, and Partick Thistle.

He made 113 appearances for QPR, contributing two assists from his defensive role. QPR announced he would leave the team after his contract expires on May 6, 2024. He joined Primeira Liga club Boavista on a free transfer this year and has made nine appearances so far.

Winger Josh Koroma returns to League One side Leyton Orient
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Winger Josh Koroma returns to League One side Leyton Orient

Sierra Leone International Josh Koroma has agreed a three-year deal with English League One team Leyton Orient, where he developed his young career.

Having graduated from the Orient Academy, Koroma was on the National League championship team in 2019 and expressed his joy about coming back.

For me, this club is unique; I want to go back to the Championship and doing so with Leyton Orient would be amazing. Wear the shirt once more; I want to succeed here.

At only 17, in April 2016, he made his senior debut for Orient and scored a hat-trick in a 40 victory over Newport County. Contributing to the National League championship for the team and earning a transfer to Huddersfield Town, he played 39 games and scored 11 goals in the 2018–19 season.

Richie Wellens, head coach of Orient, said he was thrilled to welcome Josh back as he comes in as a more seasoned player, ready to reach his prime. Having loan stints at Rotherham United and Portsmouth, Koroma had 35 goals from over 150 games for Huddersfield.

Director of Football Martin Ling lauded Josh’s ability and dedication, noting his choice to refuse greater offers to come back to Leyton Orient.

Striker Alie Conteh joins Norwegian side Strømsgodset
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Alie Conteh joins Norwegian side Strømsgodset

Striker Alie Conteh, 20, has signed a four-year contract with Norwegian top-tier side Strømsgodset and will wear jersey number 20 ahead of the season’s second round.

“I am very happy to join Strømsgodset. I have dreamed of this moment and worked hard to reach it,” said the player from Sierra Leone after completing his contract.

After successful negotiations with Mjøndalen, the transfer details were finalized, and Conteh passed his medical examination. He is now officially a Strømsgodset player until the summer of 2029.

“We are pleased to secure a young and promising striker who has shown great development at Mjøndalen,” said sports manager Jostein Flo. “We appreciate Mjøndalen for their positive dialogue that allowed us to bring him in before the transfer window.”

Conteh, on loan from Goderich FC, quickly made an impact at Mjøndalen by scoring a hat-trick in his second match. Last season, he played 30 games and scored seven goals, while this season he has netted 12 goals in 17 matches.

He will train with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday and hopes to play in Sunday’s home game against Tromsø.

“I have the mentality of a lion, and I’m a hard-working player who wants to give everything for the team,” he said. “I want to bring joy to the supporters by scoring goals.”

Mustapha Bundu makes Hannover debut in defeat to Randers
by Football Sierra Leone

Mustapha Bundu makes Hannover debut in defeat to Randers

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Mutapha Bundu made their debut at Hanover 96, in their 2-1 loss to Danish team Randers FC in Germany after 120 minutes.

After quitting the English team Plymouth Argyle, free agent Bundu, 28, joined the German side.

Randers FC continued their strong preseason performance with a third consecutive victory, defeating Hannover 96 2-1.

They took the lead in the 31st minute when Mohamed Touré scored from a great cross by Simen Bolkan Nordli.

Hannover equalised ten minutes later, but Elies Mahmoud clinched the win in the 110th minute after capitalising on a rebound following his initial shot, sealing the match for Randers FC.

Sierra Leone's Bakayoko scores winner for Consadole Sapporo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Bakayoko scores winner for Consadole Sapporo

On Saturday at the Sapporo Dome stadium, Sierra Leone international Amadou Bakayoko kept his outstanding form by scoring his sixth goal of the season for Japanese team Consadole Sapporo in a tough 1-0 victory over Renofa Yamaguchi.

Bakayoko, who found the net just before halftime, was substituted in the 56th minute; however, he demonstrated his remarkable talent when he scored the ball precisely after receiving a perfectly timed through pass from his teammate Tomoki Takamine.

This crucial victory moved Consadole Sapporo up to ninth position in the JLeague 2 standings, therefore raising their morale as they try to gather momentum and obtain another excellent outcome in their next game next weekend.

As they plan to rise further up the league standings, the team’s perseverance and Bakayoko’s regular scoring will be vital.