by FSL News | 23 Jan, 2019 | Players Abroad News
San Antonio have confirmed the signing of veteran midfielder Michael Lahoud for the 2019 season pending league and federation approval.
USL Championship side, as per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Sierra Leone international over the course of his 10-year career has made over 200 appearances for five different clubs in MLS, NASL and the USL.
Lahoud, 32, has amassed over 15,000 minutes at club level, including nearly 9,000 at the MLS level with both Chivas USA and the Philadelphia Union.
“We are pleased to have Michael join our squad for 2019,” SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell to club’s website.
“He has a lot of good experience in U.S. soccer.”
“He is a midfielder that is effective on both sides of the ball, and we anticipate him being able to impact our team this season.”
Lahoud joins SAFC from FC Cincinnati where he spent the 2018 season, making 24 appearances for the USL regular season champions last campaign.
“I am very intrigued by the club’s ambition to be one of the premier clubs in the USL,” Lahoud told the club’s website.
He added, “The ownership and staff want to build something special here and do it the right way.”
“This year we have a new team, which means new challenges. As an experienced player, I hope to help lead on and off the field as we aspire to make history in San Antonio.”
With the addition of Lahoud, the SAFC roster currently stands at 18.
He has spells with Carolina Dynamo, Chivas USA, Philadelphia Union New York Cosmos, Miami FC and Cincinnati.
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by FSL News | 22 Jan, 2019 | Players Abroad News
FC Lahti defender Hassan Milla Sesay has joined newly promoted Finnish top-flight side Helsingfors on one-year-deal with an option to extend.
Sesay, 31, will continue next season with the 2018 Ykkönen Champions to mark his eight professional clubs.
The Sierra Leone left-wing back made 29 appearances last season. He played a total of 206 matches in the league since joining LF Lahti in 2014 from Myllykosken Pallo −47.
“I am glad that I get the opportunity to represent IFK. I’ve been playing for several years Veikkaus League and, I know that it is flat with a series of small things that count,” Sesay told the club’s website.
IFK’s head coach Tor Thodesen reacting after the deal stated he was pleased to receive Sesay in his team.
“I am happy for the club to have a diverse and fast player who also brings a wealth of experience in Veikkausliiga. Warmly welcome to the IFK family, describes the new acquisition of the Thodesen Society.
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by FSL News | 22 Jan, 2019 | Players Abroad News
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Mohamed Sankoh a Sierra Leonean residing in Birmingham, United Kingdom believes that Boreham Wood’s new attacker Idris Kanu is a ‘Rising Starlet’.
The young striker is eligible to represent Sierra Leone through his parental lineage as well England his country of birth.
Referring to Kanu, 19, who joined from Peterborough United earlier this month on a long-term loan “No doubt has the ability to do great things.” Sankoh told FSL.
“I watched him against Dagenham & Redbridge on his debut the following day after joining the Woods.”
“He scored the only goal in last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Meadow Park against Havant & Waterlooville.”
“He has the ability and very agile. He enjoyed a short-term loan with League Two outfit Port Vale last year, before returning to his parent club,” Sankoh who has been following the striker explained.
The pacey attacker, with an eye for goal, Kanu came through the academy at West Ham United, before joining the Shots, where he signed his first professional deal.
The youngster signed his first professional contract at Aldershot Town before his move to League One side Peterborough United in August 2017, on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
by FSL News | 21 Jan, 2019 | Players Abroad News
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Crystal Palace’s academy graduate Sullay Kaikai has joined Dutch top-flight side NAC Breda on a one-and-half-year deal with an option for another year.
The Striker, who is still eligible to play for Sierra Leone, has been the third winter reinforcement signed for the Eredivisie side on a permanent deal.
Kaikai, 23, tweeted, “Glad to announce I’m officially a @NACnl player. I can’t wait to start this new chapter in my career. I look forward to playing for this great club and meeting the amazing fans ??.”
His new side is currently 17th in the top tier of Dutch football having been promoted from Eerste Divisie in May 2017.
The striker has been with Palace since 2010 when he joined the Academy aged 15, scored on his professional debut in the League Cup third round tie against Newcastle in September 2014.
Kaikai has had spells with Crawly Town, Shrewsbury Town, Brentford, and Charlton Athletic.
He made a big impression in his years as a youth player and was first rented to Crawley Town in the 2013/2014 season.
by FSL News | 20 Jan, 2019 | Players Abroad News
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The Sierra Leone defender has a wealth of experience playing in England and Scotland.
Mustapha Dumbuya, 31, has joined Didier Drogba’s Phoenix Rising Football Club and as per club policy, the details of the contract will not be made public.
The former Portsmouth and Notts County defender, who recently departed Scottish side Falkirk was honoured to join USL Championship side.
“Absolutely honoured to sign with Phoenix Rising and start this new chapter in my Football career,” Dumbuya told club’s website.
“I had the opportunity to come over last summer to train for a bit, see the great set up, witness the direction, meet the players and coaching staff and as I was so warmly welcomed, it already felt like home,” the defender explained.
“Looking forward to putting in all the necessary work to contributing to our quest for trophies.”
Dumbuya, who started trading 10 years ago, has had spells with Doncaster Rovers. Crystal Palace, Portsmouth, Crawley Town, and Notts County.
The right-back, spent the 2017-18 season with relegated Partick Thistle in the Scottish top-flight before he departed the club.
With the addition of Dumbuya, Phoenix Rising’s roster now stands at 19 players for the 2019 season.
by FSL News | 16 Jan, 2019 | Players Abroad News
Talented young footballer Tejan Bah has signed a two-year full-time contract with Swedish Div 2 side Piteå IF.
“Tejan Bah has signed a two-year contract with Piteå IF. Tejan who was on trial in December also played for us in a training match against Skellefteå has impressed our club’s management team to the extent that he was offered a contract,” the club said in a statement.
The 22-year-old defensive midfielder, who will be reuniting with his former coach at Hammarby Jeppe Mauritzson, has expressed his delight after putting pen to paper.
“I’m happy to have signed up for the club and, I am looking forward to helping the team,” Bah told Football Sierra Leone UK.
Bah added, “This is a fantastic opportunity to push forward with my football career on a professional level.”
Tejan is not the only Sierra Leonean to have signed and played for Piteå IF, Ibrahim Kallay played for the club for over two seasons.
The former Nyköpings BIS and Varmdö IF midfielder played among the best youth players at the 2014 Gothia Cup.
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