D.C. United's slumping attack is set to receive a boost just before the close of the primary transfer window at 1 am ET on Thursday, May 12.
The club on Wednesday announced that it has acquired 22-year-old Sierra Leone international striker Alhaji Kamara in a move that had been rumored at the start of this week. To make room for Kamara, D.C. United waived rookie and second round SuperDraft pick Paul Clowes.
Since 2012, Kamara has played in Sweden and also had a loan spell in Malaysia during 2015. His breakthrough in Sweden came with IFK Norrköping (21 goals in 48 career games), where he contributed seven goals in 13 appearances during their 2015 Swedish league championship run which culminated last October.
"Alhaji is a fast, dynamic striker ... a true No. 9," said Dave Kasper, United GM and VP of soccer operations, in a club statement. "His strength and speed immediately caught our attention and he has a nose for goal. He scored some big goals for his club last fall that helped them win the championship and qualify for UEFA Champions League."
His time in Sweden was cut short due to a heart condition discovered earlier this year, but US-based heart specialists re-examined his case and gave the MLS club the medical clearance to move forward with the signing.
According to comments made by Kasper to the Washington Post, Kamara will need some time before he can be expected to contribute since his last competitive action came back in November 2015.
When ready, Kamara will join a forward corps that features influential Argentine Fabian Espindola, Costa Rican target striker Alvaro Saborio and withdrawn forward Chris Rolfe. Playmaker Luciano Acosta and wingers Patrick Nyarko and Lamar Neagle have also contributed goals to start the season, which has seen DC score a total of 11 goals in 10 matches, third fewest in the East.
Kamara, who has two goals in four appearances with the Sierra Leone national team, is now the third MLS player to share the last name. The two others play for Crew SC – a fellow Sierra Leone international Kei Kamara and Norwegian striker Ola Kamara– while Frenchman Hassoun Camara is a right back for the Montreal Impact.
