Soccer
Shock international return for 40-year-old MLS star
Sierra Leone are looking to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations and have recalled the veteran LAFC striker.
LAFC striker Kei Kamara has enjoyed a historic career. Still active at 40 years old, Kamara is fourth in all-time MLS appearances and second for goals, having recently overtaken Landon Donovan.
And he’s not stopping there. Two years after announcing his retirement from the international game, Kei Kamara is back in the Sierra Leone squad for two crucial upcoming games against Chad and Zambia.
He represented his nation for 14 years before hanging up his boots in 2022 but now returns with the Leone Star looking to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for just the fourth time in history. With just two qualification games remaining Kamara is hoping to nudge them over the line.
Writing on Instagram, Kamara said: “Two and a half years ago I decided to hang up my international jersey, but there can come a time when the things we do can no longer only be about oneself, but also for the people you LOVE...and Mama Salone, I Love You. Today, I am happy to announce my return to Our Darling LEONE STARS.”
How many MLS teams has Kei Kamara played for?
The 6ft-3in forward began as a winger, starting out in MLS with the Columbus Crew after being snapped up in the first round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He spent time with both the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo he found real form with Sporting Kansas City, securing moves to English sides Norwich City and Middlesbrough.
He would return to MLS and go on to add New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United, CF Montreal and Chicago Fire to his lengthy CV.
Most recently, he was picked up by LAFC to make it an astonishing ten MLS teams. Kei Kamara is the oldest active player in MLS for the 2024 season, beating Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan by eight days.
Kamara has delivered, too. He scored in both the quarter-final and semi-final of the Leagues Cup as LAFC made it all the way to the final. He went one better in the Open Cup shortly after, scoring an extra-time header to clinch a 3-1 win over Sporting KC. In total Kei Kamara has scored 196 goals across a storied professional career, with 146 coming in MLS.