Kei Kamara

A proven and accomplished goalscorer in MLS, Kamara was acquired by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in December 2017 via trade from New England Revolution in exchange for a first-round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2019 and a conditional second-round pick in 2020. 

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Before his move to Vancouver, Kamara's 11 seasons of prior MLS experience began as an MLS SuperDraft selection with then-Columbus Crew in 2006. His career has included stops with San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City, a return to Columbus, and most recently, with New England. Kamara arrived in Vancouver with a resume that includes 103 goals and 39 assists in 246 starts and 298 appearances in his MLS career, including playoffs, becoming only the 12th player in league history to eclipse the century mark in goals. In 2017, Kamara led New England with 12 goals, including four game-winners, tied for ninth in the league, in addition to his five assists. Kamara finished the 2017 season ranked 10th all-time in goals in league play, second among all active players, and third all-time in shots. A two-time MLS All-Star, he led MLS in total goals, including playoffs, with 26 in 2015. On the same year, he was a finalist for the MLS Most Valuable Player award and was named to the MLS Best XI while leading Columbus to a runner-up finish in the MLS Cup.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
In 2013, Kamara made 11 appearances while on loan with Norwich City FC and became the first player from Sierra Leone to score in the English Premier League.

ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Outside of MLS, Kamara also played one season with English Football League Championship club Middlesbrough FC, scoring four goals in 16 starts and 25 appearances in the 2013-14 season.

LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP
Kamara has five goals in eight starts and 12 appearances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, helping Sporting KC hoist the trophy in 2012, and leading New England to a second-place finish in 2016.

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Kamara scored three goals in seven starts in eight matches for Houston Dynamo in consecutive CONCACAF Champions League tournaments from 2008 to 2009.

INTERNATIONAL
Kamara has over 20 international appearances for Sierra Leone, having served as captain. He has tallied five goals for the Leone Stars as of November 2017.

INTERESTING FACTS
Kamara was honoured with the 2007 MLS Fair Play Award and the 2015 MLS Humanitarian of the Year. He is involved with a number of community initiatives, including Schools for Salone and his Heart Shaped Hands Foundation. He was sworn in as an American citizen in 2006.