Introduction
Alhaji Kamara (born 16 April 1994) is a Sierra Leonean footballer who plays for Richmond Kickers on loan from D.C. United.
Club career
He started his professional career at FC Kallon in the Sierra Leone National First Division. At a young age, he had trials with Tippeligaen club Fredrikstad FK and Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Eventually he was signed by Swedish club Djurgårdens IF just after turning 18 years old.
Kamara failed to make an impact at Djurgårdens IF, and instead enjoyed loan spells to IK Frej and IFK Värnamo. Before the 2014 season, he was signed by IFK Norrköping, where he positioned himself as a key player during his first season. On 31 March 2015, Kamara was loaned out to Malaysia's Super League champion, Johor Darul Takzim FC (JDT) outfit from IFK Norrköping.
However, the loan was cancelled in July 2015. He returned to Norrköping, and featured fourteen times as the team won the league.
Kamara scored with his first touch in his debut for D.C. United just seconds after coming on against Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park. His goal was the difference, as United went on to win the match 1-0.
Congenital heart disease
In February 2016, it was reported that Kamara is suffering from a congenital heart disease, a deviation of the coronary arteries which potentially could result in sudden death at maximal cardiac effort. Kamara was effectively put on an indefinite restrain from playing football, effectively ending his professional career. However, he will remain contracted at Norrköping over the 2016 season as doctors are examining his condition's operability. In May 2016 it was revealed, after further testing from US-based doctors, that Kamara intended to continue his career in Major League Soccer club D.C. United where he would be allowed to play even with his heart condition since the American league doesn't follow FIFA and UEFA regulations.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Djurgårdens IF | 2012 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| IK Frej | 2013 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 17 | 3 | |
| Total | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 | |
| IFK Värnamo | 2013 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | 11 | 8 | |
| Total | 10 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 8 | |
| IFK Norrköping | 2014 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 0 | — | 29 | 10 | |
| Johor Darul Takzim | 2015 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | |
| Total | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| IFK Norrköping | 2015 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 3 | — | 18 | 9 | |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Total | 40 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 21 | |
| D.C. United | 2016 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Career total | 74 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 34 | |
International goals
| No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 29 February 2012 | Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho, São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe |  São Tomé and Príncipe |
1–0 | 1–2 | 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 2. | 13 October 2015 | Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Nigeria |  Chad |
1–1 | 2–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
- Allsvenskan: 2015