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.

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena announce 2024/25 pre-season schedules
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena announce 2024/25 pre-season schedule

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo’s Italian side Cesena has announced their schedule for the pre-season ahead of the new Serie B campaign for the 2024/25 season.

Kargbo was pivotal as Cesena secured promotion to Serie B after winning the Serie C championship against Pescara F.C. by 1-0, thanks to Edoardo Pierozzi In August.

The team’s first training session, under the guidance of the new coach Mignani, is set to start tomorrow. Thirty players have been called up for the first seasonal meeting, including six from the Primavera team.

The schedule for this week includes daily double training sessions at 9 am and 5:30 pm until Friday at the Villa Silvia sports centre. Additionally, all training sessions this week will be open to the public.

On Saturday, July 13, the team will leave for Acquapartita for a two-week retreat. The first two friendlies of the season have been scheduled. The team will play against the local Representative of Alto Savio on Sunday, July 14 and against Sampierana on Thursday, July 18.

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma extends Al Shahaniya's deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma extends Al Shahaniya’s deal

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.

The 24-year-old Sierra Leone international had initially signed a two-year deal last summer but has now agreed to a one-year extension after helping the club secure promotion.

Koroma was pivotal in Al Shahaniya’s promotion to the Qatar Super League for the upcoming season. In his first season at the club, Koroma made significant contributions, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in the league campaign.

The team secured a 3-1 victory over Al Markhiya at the Al Thumama Stadium in May, confirming their promotion to the Qatar top-tier league.

This victory secured their place in the 2024-2025 season’s First Division after a Play-Off match that pitted the 11th-placed team (Al Markhiya) in the final standings of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League against the second-placed team (Al Shahaniya) in the Second Division championship.

Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.
Midfielder Alhassan Koroma has signed a contract extension with Qatari Super League sports club Al Shahaniya until 2026.
Samal Bangura joins Tottenham Hotspur U18 scholars
by FSL News

Samal Bangura joins Tottenham Hotspur U18 scholars

Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced that Samal Bangura a Sierra Leonean native is one of the new academy scholars for the 2024-2025 season.

The club introduced 13 young players who have joined their Under-18s as full-time, first-year scholars.

Stuart Lewis, the Under-18s Coach, expressed excitement about working with the new scholarship intake and called it a proud moment for the players and their families.

He emphasized that becoming a full-time scholar at Tottenham Hotspur is an incredible achievement.

The staff team looks forward to developing the players individually and collectively as they support their scholarship years at the club.

Kei Kamara continues his excellent scoring form with LAFC
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara continues his excellent scoring form with LAFC

Kei Kamara, the second-highest goal scorer in Major League Soccer, has scored three goals in his last four matches for Los Angeles in all competitions.

Another header from Kamara as Los Angeles extended its club-record unbeaten streak to 12 games in all competitions with a 2-1 win over archrivals LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.

LAFC took the lead in the 40th minute when Kei Kamara scored with a powerful header from a Mateusz Bogusz corner kick, making the score 1-0.

Dénis Athanase Bouanga scored their second goal in the 44th minute before LA Galaxy pulled one back in the 56th minute through Gabriel Pec. However, that would be as close as they would get on the night as the Black & Gold locked down defensively on the way to victory.

LAFC won their third consecutive game against the Galaxy and their third consecutive league game.

They are currently at the top of the Western Conference with a record of 13-4-4 and 43 points, three points ahead of the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.

Sierra Leone's native signs Arsenal professional contract
by FSL News

Sierra Leone’s native Kabia signs Arsenal professional contract

Arsenal has confirmed that Ismeal Kabia, a right winger, has signed a professional contract at the club.

Kabia made the step up to Arsenal’s under-21s team last season and played in several competitions.

He expressed his happiness after signing his contract and discussed the positive influence the club has had on him.

Despite some injuries, he finished the last season with eight appearances and scored his first goal for Arsenal U18s against Southampton.

Kabia, who was born in the Netherlands but is also eligible to play for Sierra Leone, aims to make a significant impact on the Arsenal team.

Anderlecht eye Portsmouth winger Abu Kamara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Anderlecht eye Portsmouth’s winger Abu Kamara

After a successful loan spell with Portsmouth, Norwich City winger Abu Kamara is a summer target for Belgian top-tier side Anderlecht, Football Sierra Leone understands.

Kamara’s impressive performance at League One champions Portsmouth has attracted interest, but Norwich plans to include him in their first-team under manager Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that Anderlecht, managed by former Norwich youth coach Brian Riemer, are keen on signing Kamara and wants to bring him to Belgium this summer.

A source from Norwich has confirmed that they plan to include Kamara in their first-team set-up this summer while their new head coach, Thorup, assesses the squad.

Kamara was an important player in Portsmouth’s championship-winning season last year. He scored ten goals and provided eleven assists in 52 games.

This summer, he made his debut for England’s U20 team. The 20-year-old, who came through City’s academy, has one year left on his contract at Carrow Road, and Norwich has a one-year option.

Issa Kallon scores winner as Nantong Zhiyun beat Three Towns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon scores winner as Nantong Zhiyun beat Three Towns

Issa Kallon scored the winning goal as Nantong Zhiyun secured a 2-1 victory over Three Towns in the 17th round of the Chinese Super League at Wuhan Stadium on Saturday.

Izuchukwu Jude Anthony scored the opening goal in the 11th minute, but Kallon secured an 87th-minute winner. Although the visitors pulled one back through Pedro, it was too late for a comeback.

Nantong Zhiyun FC has had a lacklustre season, but this win might ignite their season as they move out of the relegation zone.

It was Kallon’s third season since joining the Chinese Super League club on 9 February 2024 from fellow Chinese Super League club Nantong Zhiyun.

Nantong Zhiyun were stunned by Tianjin Teda in their recent match to play out a 1-1 draw, thwarting their chances of recording their third win of the season.

In that match, they took the lead through Yongtao Lu’s goal in the 45th minute, only to squander their lead in the game’s dying minutes.

Before today, their team had not won in their last eight league matches (L5, D3). They came into this game after losing their previous two matches, with 5-2 defeats against Zhejiang Professional FC and Beijing Guoan FC.

Blackburn Rovers eye Sierra Leone's winger Augustus Kargbo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Blackburn Rovers eye Sierra Leone’s winger Augustus Kargbo

Blackburn Rovers are interested in signing Cesena striker Augustus Kargbo, as reported by Italian news outlet  TuttoMercato.

The club seems to be planning a summer of attacking additions, and Kargbo has been a key player for the Serie B side, helping them to gain promotion from Serie C.

Kargbo, 24, had an impressive last campaign, making 33 appearances in all competitions and contributing 10 goals and 11 assists to help Cesena win promotion. His contract at Stadio Dino Manuzzi expires in 2026, so there’s no rush for his current club to sell him.

Rovers are keen on bringing him to England this summer. They have identified Kargbo as a target as they prepare for their first full term under the guidance of former Birmingham City boss John Eustace.

Tutto Mercato believes Rovers are keen on luring him over to England this summer. They have identified him as a target as they gear up for their first full term under the guidance of former Birmingham City boss John Eustace.

Attacker Sullay Kaikai pleased after pens Cambridge's new deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Sullay Kaikai pleased after pens Cambridge’s new deal

Sierra Leone international Sullay Kaikai has expressed his  delight after signing a new one-year contract with Cambridge United.

The 28-year-old attacker, who joined the U’s last summer on an initial one-year deal, has been a consistent performer, making 47 appearances across all competitions in his first year.

In February, he was named Love Cambridge Player of the Month after a series of outstanding performances, securing four assists and scoring one goal. 

“I am pleased to sign with the club for another year,” said Kaikai. “The club is moving in an exciting direction, and I am eager to contribute. The confidence of the manager, teammates, and fans means a lot to me. It’s about building upon last season, growing within the gaffer’s set-up, and improving as both an individual and a collective.”

“We are delighted that Sullay has decided to rejoins us,” added the management. “He is a player with undoubted qualities and has shown in the past that he can provide match-winning moments. We believe there is more to come from him, and with the hard work we expect from the players this season, Sullay has the opportunity to take his game to new levels.”

After winning the Love Cambridge Player of the Month award for February 2024, he featured in over 40 games for the U’s last season.

"I am pleased to sign with the club for another year," said Kaikai. "The club is moving in an exciting direction, and I am eager to contribute.."
"I am pleased to sign with the club for another year," said Kaikai. "The club is moving in an exciting direction, and I am eager to contribute.."
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara breaks new Major League Soccer ground

On Saturday, Kei Kamara secured his place in MLS history by scoring his 146th goal, surpassing Landon Donovan to become the league’s second-highest goalscorer after tying the record just days earlier.

Kamara’s momentous goal in the 33rd minute propelled LAFC to a 3-0 lead against the San Jose Earthquakes, echoing the style of his record-tying goal with another powerful header at the back post.

This remarkable achievement means that only one player in MLS history has scored as many goals as Kamara.

“I hope it makes a lot of people happy. I know it makes my friends and family happy because they’re the ones that have been counting the goals all these years and they get to text me. I see their texts, how happy they are,” Kamara said of his historic goal.

“But Landon is the greatest American soccer player to ever live, so for my name to be called next to his for this long, it was an honour. It’s still always going to be next to Landon – I mean the [MLS MVP] trophy is named after him. So when I get to be mentioned next to a great soccer player like that, it’s kind of cool and I’m a fan.”

While Kamara currently trails Chris Wondolowski by 25 goals, his resurgence with his 11th MLS team in Los Angeles has ignited hope for the 39-year-old veteran to potentially challenge the record.