Finland top-flight side HIFK Fotboll have signed Sierra Leonean striker Kei Kamara on a free transfer until the end of the season, with an option for an extra year.
The former Middlesbrough striker has been without a club since leaving MLS club Minnesota United last summer.
The 36-year-old enjoyed a storied MSL career netting 130 goals and 47 assists in 359 appearances after making his debut in 2006.
Kamara scored the lone goal for Sierra Leone that sent them to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, a first since 1996.
“I’m a striker, so I love goals, I feed for goals. That’s kind of how I’ve carried myself while playing, for as long as I’ve been playing. I’m a very athletic player,”Camara told HIFK Fotboll after his unveiling.
“I don’t look at the longevity of how I’ve played, but that brings experience, so. I’m an athletic player, I love to be in the box. But defensively too, I’m a guy that wants to come back and help the team. I’m excited about everything.”
On his part, HIFK Fotboll coach Joaquin Gomez welcomed the striker stating that the club was pleased to finally put pen to paper on the transfer.
“We’re really pleased that the hard work that we’ve been putting in during the last month or so has now come to fruition with the signing of Kei. He’s has that bit of extra quality and presence in the final third that we’ve been needing lately,” said Gomez.
“ It’s very difficult to bring someone from abroad during this period of time, let alone someone with the quality and experience that Kei has, so we’re very happy we could make that happen. Having someone like him playing for HIFK is going the have a positive impact not just on HIFK, but the league in general as well.
“ I’m very happy with him coming and now we’ll take care of everything to make it as easy as possible for him and work the way we want to.”
HIFK currently sit sixth after 17 matches in the Finnish top flight and will be meeting SJK in their next league game on Friday as they continue with the fight for a place in the Championship Round.
