Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday that the club has agreed to transfer forward Kei Kamara to Middlesbrough FC (Football League Championship) in England. Sporting Kansas City will receive two-thirds of the substantial transfer fee to use as allocation money^ per MLS rules.
"Over the last four-plus years Kei's progression as a player has been tremendous," said Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes. "We appreciate his service to the team and to the club and we wish nothing but the best for him and his next challenge as a player."
The 29-year-old, who is his national team's Player of the Year, has spent most of his career playing US Major League Soccer but enjoyed a spell on loan in the Premier League at Norwich City last season.
Tony Mowbray said: "We are delighted that Kei's s here. He will add to our attacking options all across the front line.
"He'll bring some added power, pace and an aerial threat to our squad."
Describing a whirlwind weekend leading up to the transfer, Kamara told mfc.co.uk: "I played a game on Saturday, got on a plane on Sunday and now I'm here on Monday so it's been a long couple of days but now I'm delighted to be here.
"I've heard playing in the Championship is a lot harder than the Premier league but I'm always ready for a challenge so I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully my own style and way of playing will help the team out."
Kamara moved to the United States from his war-torn homeland as a teenager and as well as Kansas he has played for Columbus Crew, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo.
Although he stands at an imposing 6ft 3ins tall, Kamara has played most of his football as a winger but he is also comfortable as a central striker.
Despite usually being deployed in a wide position he has been Sporting Kansas City's leading scorer for three consecutive seasons and has won a host of awards.
In eight MLS seasons with four different teams, Kamara recorded 53 goals and 24 assists in 200 appearances (including playoffs). He was an inactive MLS All-Star in 2012 and in January, Sporting KC facilitated a loan for Kamara to Norwich City FC of the Barclays Premier League. He scored one goal in 11 games for the Canaries.
Middlesbrough FC has played in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English soccer, since the 2009-10 season. The club finished 16th in the 24-team league last season and currently holds the 15th position through five games (1-1-3) this year.
In accordance with MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, allocation money does not count against a club's salary budget and can be used.
However, reports states the Boro new wonder striker could miss Sierra Leone 2014 world cup qualifying match against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday September 7th in Freetown as he expected to work on his personal things and prepare for life in England.
By Martin Wusha Conteh: Mysierraleoneonine.com
