Glen Kamara

Glen Kamara
Kamara with Finland U21 in 2015
Personal information
Full name Glen Adjei Kamara[1]
Date of birth (1995-10-28) 28 October 1995 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Tampere, Finland
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Rennes
Number 28
Youth career
2003–2007 Olarin Tarmo
2008 EPS
2011–2012 Southend United
2012–2015 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Arsenal 0 (0)
2016 → Southend United (loan) 6 (0)
2016–2017 → Colchester United (loan) 4 (0)
2017–2019 Dundee 54 (0)
2019–2023 Rangers 118 (6)
2023–2024 Leeds United 37 (0)
2024– Rennes 13 (0)
International career‡
2013 Finland U18 3 (0)
2012–2013 Finland U19 7 (0)
2014 Finland U20 3 (0)
2014–2016 Finland U21 14 (0)
2017– Finland 65 (2)
Medal record
Rangers
First place Scottish Premiership 2020–21
First place Scottish Cup 2021–22
Second place Scottish League Cup 2019–20
Second place Scottish League Cup 2022–23
Second place UEFA Europa League 2021–22
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 December 2024

Glen Adjei Kamara (born 28 October 1995) is a Finnish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Rennes and the Finland national team.

He began his senior career at Arsenal, where he made one substitute appearance in the Football League Cup and was loaned to Southend United and Colchester United. After 18 months at Dundee, he joined fellow Scottish Premiership side Rangers for £50,000. He made the PFA Scotland Team of the Year when they won the league title in 2020–21. In late August 2023 it was announced that he would be leaving Rangers to join Leeds in the EFL Championship. After a successful season with Leeds, Kamara joined French side Rennes for a €10 million fee.

Kamara made his senior international debut for Finland in 2017. He was named in their squad for UEFA Euro 2020. In 2022, he was recognized as Finnish Footballer of the Year by the Football Association of Finland.

Youth career

Finland

Kamara was born in Tampere, Finland, to refugee parents from Sierra Leone.[4] He was raised in Soukka, in the city of Espoo, from the age of two until the age of 12, when he moved to London, England, with his mother and sister.[4] In Espoo, Kamara had played football in the youth sectors of Olarin Tarmo –77 in Olari, and in Espoon Palloseura (EPS) in Espoonlahti.[5][6]

England

Kamara continued his career in England for Sunday side Westway of Ladbroke Grove,[7] before moving to the Southend United youth system and then on to Arsenal in 2012.[8]

Club career

Arsenal

Kamara playing for Arsenal U21s in 2015

At first Kamara joined up with the club's academy. He went on to be an unused substitute for Arsenal's UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray in December 2014.[9] Kamara made his only appearance for Arsenal a day before his 20th birthday on 27 October 2015, up against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL League Cup fourth round in an eventual 3–0 away loss; he started the match and was substituted for Krystian Bielik after an hour.[10]

On 22 January 2016, Kamara returned to Southend in League One, on loan for the rest of the season.[11][12] He played six matches, all but one as a starter.

On deadline day of the summer transfer window, 31 August 2016, Kamara joined Colchester United in League Two on loan until January 2017.[13] He played six times, starting just once in the league.

Dundee

On 13 July 2017, Kamara signed a two-year deal with Dundee.[14] He made his debut for the club in a Scottish League Cup game away to Raith Rovers where he put in a man of the match performance.[15]

Rangers

On 5 January 2019, Kamara signed a pre-contract with Rangers on a four-and-a-half-year deal.[16] On 31 January, this deal was brought forward when the two clubs agreed to a £50,000 transfer.[17] He scored his first goal in senior club football on 27 February 2019, opening a 4–0 home win over his former club Dundee.[18]

On 18 March 2021, Kamara accused Slavia Prague player Ondřej Kúdela of racist verbal abuse during a Europa League knockout match.[19][20] Kúdela denied the claims of racism and claimed that after the match Kamara physically assaulted Kúdela in the stadium tunnel in front of UEFA officials and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.[21] Ahead of the Old Firm derby, Celtic and Rangers players stood side by side in support of Kamara.[22] On 14 April, UEFA officially found both Kamara and Kúdela guilty. Kúdela was banned for racial abuse for 10 UEFA matches, while Kamara was handed a three-match ban for assault. All happened in very emotional atmosphere after brutal foul on Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář. He was seriously injured by another Rangers player Kemar Roofe who got also 4 matches ban after.[23]

On 22 September 2021, Kamara signed a new four-year contract with the club that would see him remain with the club until the summer of 2025.[24] Days later, he was sent off away to Sparta Prague, a game in which his every touch was booed by the mostly underaged audience in relation to the Kúdela abuse; UEFA found insufficient evidence of a racial motive and did not punish the club.[25]

Kamara was an integral part of the Rangers squad in the club's 2021–22 UEFA Europa League campaign. He scored an important goal against RB Leipzig in the second leg of the semi finals,[26] and helped Rangers to reach to the finals of the competition, where they eventually fell short to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties, and won the silver medal.[27]

Leeds United

On 31 August 2023, Kamara signed a four-year deal with English club Leeds United for an undisclosed fee.[28] However, the transfer fee was reported in media to be around £5.5 million.[29][30] He became the fifth Finnish player to sign for Leeds after Sebastian Sorsa, Mika Väyrynen, Mikael Forssell and Aapo Halme.

Kamara made his debut for Leeds in the EFL Championship on 2 September 2023, as a late substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Sheffield Wednesday.[31] On 18 February 2024, after his first 25 matches in Championship, Kamara had a successful passing rate of 93.5%.[32][33] Leeds finished 3rd in the Championship table and advanced to the promotion play-off final, where they eventually fell short to Southampton.

Rennes

On 16 July 2024, Kamara joined Ligue 1 club Rennes[34] for a reported €10 million fee,[35][36] signing a deal until June 2028.[34] He made his official debut in Ligue 1 with his new club on 18 August 2024, in a season opening game against Lyon, playing full 90 minutes and helping his side to a 3–0 home win.[37]

International career

Kamara represented Finland at under-19 and under-21 level. He was an unused substitute for the senior side in a friendly against Estonia in June 2015.[38] On 9 November 2017, he made his debut in a 3–0 victory over the same country in a friendly match.[39] He scored his first international goal to conclude a 2–0 home win over Greece in the UEFA Nations League on 15 October 2018.[40]

Kamara was called up for Finland's first major tournament, the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021.[41]

He played in all 10 games in Finland's UEFA Euro 2024 qualification campaign, scoring once.

Career statistics

Club

As of 30 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2015–16[42] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
2016–17[43] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Southend United (loan) 2015–16[42] League One 6 0 0 0 0 0 — — 6 0
Colchester United (loan) 2016–17[43] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 2[c] 0 6 0
Dundee 2017–18[44] Scottish Premiership 37 0 3 0 6 0 — — 46 0
2018–19[45] Scottish Premiership 17 0 0 0 2 0 — — 19 0
Total 54 0 3 0 8 0 — — 65 0
Rangers 2018–19[46] Scottish Premiership 13 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 16 1
2019–20[47] Scottish Premiership 19 0 1 0 4 1 15[d] 0 — 39 1
2020–21[48] Scottish Premiership 33 1 3 0 2 0 13[d] 1 — 51 2
2021–22[49] Scottish Premiership 31 3 3 0 3 0 15[d] 1 — 52 4
2022–23[50] Scottish Premiership 22 1 2 0 3 0 8[e] 0 — 35 1
Total 118 6 12 0 12 1 51 2 — 193 9
Leeds United 2023–24[51] Championship 37 0 2 0 0 0 — 3[f] 0 42 0
Rennes 2024–25 Ligue 1 13 0 0 0 – – – 13 0
Career total 232 6 17 0 21 1 51 2 5 0 326 9
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

As of match played 17 November 2024[52]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland 2017 1 0
2018 8 1
2019 10 0
2020 8 0
2021 13 0
2022 8 0
2023 10 1
2024 7 0
Total 65 2
Scores and results list Finland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kamara goal.[52]
List of international goals scored by Glen Kamara
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 15 October 2018 Tampere Stadium, Tampere, Finland  Greece 2–0 2–0 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C
2 19 June 2023 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland  San Marino 1–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying

Honours

Rangers

Individual

References

  1. ^ "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/08/2016 and 31/08/2016". The Football Association. p. 27. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Glen Kamara". ESPN. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Glen Kamara: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Glen Kamara: Nurtured in Finland, schooled at Arsenal - Starring for Rangers". The Athletic. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  5. ^ Olarin Tarmosta Arsenaliin, Iltalehti, 10 October 2013
  6. ^ Tiesitkö, mikä yhteys on Huuhkaja-tähti Glen Kamaralla ja ex-kansanedustaja Kari Uotilalla? – Vastaus löytyy Espoon Olarista, jossa kaivataan nyt lisää ukkoenergiaa kentälle, Länsiväylä, 24 June 2023
  7. ^ "Kamara to cap journey to the top". Herald, Scotland. 15 May 2022. p. 82. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  8. ^ Phillips, Chris (22 January 2016). "Glen Kamara wants to repay Southend United after returning on loan from Arsenal". Southend Echo. Newsquest. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Galatasaray 1-4 Arsenal". Soccerway.
  10. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  11. ^ Karen, Mattias (22 January 2016). "Arsenal's Glen Kamara returns to Southend United on loan". ESPN FC. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Southend United sign Arsenal's Glen Kamara on loan". Southend United F.C. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  13. ^ Karen, Mattias (31 August 2016). "Arsenal midfielder Glen Kamara joins Colchester United on loan". ESPN FC. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Dundee sign up midfielder Glen Kamara after Arsenal release". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  15. ^ "Glen Kamara". Dundee FC.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Rangers: Kilmarnock's Jordan Jones and Dundee's Glen Kamara sign four-year pre-contract deals". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Glen Kamara completes Rangers move from Dundee after clubs agree fee". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Rangers 4–0 Dundee". BBC Sport. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  19. ^ "Glen Kamara: Rangers midfielder reveals extent of alleged racist abuse suffered in Slavia Prague Europa League tie". Sky Sports. 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Enough is enough". Twitter. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Slavia filed criminal complaint for physical assault". SK Slavia Praha. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  22. ^ Mannion, Damian. "Solidarity Rangers and Celtic players remain standing in protest at racism as Scott Brown embraces Glen Kamara during warm-up and reveals disgust at ordeal, while Jude Bellingham reveals abuse". TalkSport.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Slavia's Ondrej Kudela gets 10-game racism ban; Rangers Glen Kamara & Kemar Roofe also banned". BBC News. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  24. ^ "Glen Kamara: Rangers midfielder extends his contract at Ibrox until 2025". Sky Sports. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  25. ^ Paton, Ewan (15 October 2021). "Sparta Prague WON'T face UEFA punishment after booing of Rangers ace Glen Kamara". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  26. ^ Glen Kamara loisti Rangersin välierävoiton arkkitehtina – skottijätti pääsee jälleen eurofinaaliin, Iltalehti, 5 May 2022
  27. ^ "Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  28. ^ "LEEDS UNITED SEAL DEAL FOR GLEN KAMARA FROM RANGERS". leedsunited.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Inside Glen Kamara's Leeds United transfer including Daniel Farke conversation and teammate approval". yorkshireeveningpost. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  30. ^ Näkökulma: Seura teki miljoonien eurojen munauksen Glen Kamaran kanssa, Iltalehti, Anssi Karjalainen, 16 December 2023
  31. ^ LEEDS UNITED VS. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0-0, soccerway
  32. ^ Glen Kamaran tilasto mykistää, Iltalehti, 18 February 2024
  33. ^ Kun Glen Kamara pelaa, hänen seurajoukkueensa voittaa – Huuhkajien taiturin syöttötarkkuus rikkoo ennätyksiä, Yle, 20 February 2024
  34. ^ a b "Glen Kamara, nouveau milieu Rouge et Noir". Stade Rennais F.C. (in French). 16 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Nyt jysähti! Huuhkajien Glen Kamara vaihtaa seuraa – siirtosumma 10 miljoonaa". MTV Uutiset (in Finnish). 13 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Näkökulma: Ranskassa syydettiin miljoonia euroja suomalaiseen – Joko nyt tärppäsi?". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 15 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  37. ^ Rennes Dominates and Defeats an Unrecognizable Lyon, beIN Sports, 18 August 2024
  38. ^ "Finland 0–2 Estonia". Soccerway.
  39. ^ "Glen Kamara tonight". Twitter.com. Dundee Football Club.
  40. ^ Jamieson, Stuart (17 October 2018). "Sunderland reported target Glen Kamara makes big impression in UEFA Nations League". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Euro 2020 Group B preview: Full squads, players to watch, odds and chances". Sky Sports. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  43. ^ a b "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  44. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  45. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  46. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  49. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  50. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  51. ^ "Games played by Glen Kamara in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  52. ^ a b "Kamara, Glen". National Football Teams. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  53. ^ "Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points". BBC Sport. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  54. ^ "Rangers 2-0 Hearts". BBC Sport. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  55. ^ McConnell, Alison (8 December 2019). "Fraser Forster the hero as 10-man Celtic earn final victory over Rangers". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  56. ^ Moffat, Colin (26 February 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  57. ^ "Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  58. ^ Pirie, Mark (17 May 2021). "Rangers dominate the PFA Premiership Team of the Year but Celtic trio make the grade". Daily Record. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  59. ^ "Vuoden parhaita palkittiin jälleen Captain's Ball -gaalassa – Peggy Roberts kiitti poikansa Glen Kamaran lapsuuden seuraa". Yle Urheilu (in Finnish). 1 December 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2023.