City agree loan deal for Kansas City forward

CITY can confirm the loan signing of Sporting Kansas City striker Kei Kamara until May 6, subject to receiving immigration clearance.



The 28-year old Sierra Leone international has now been granted clearance to play by the relevant footballing authorities and the deal has been agreed between the two clubs and the MLS.



Kamara requires approval to come and work in the UK for Norwich City from the UK Border Agency.



City boss Chris Hughton said: “I'm delighted to bring Kei to the Football Club, one of Major League Soccer’s best players over the last few seasons.



“There is no doubt it is a big jump to make into the Premier League, but it is an exciting challenge both for him and us here at the Club to prove his talent.



“Kei also adds some valuable competition upfront alongside the current striking options we have here at the Club.”



Born and raised in Kenema in Sierra Leone, Kamara emigrated to the United States as a teenager to escape the civil war that gripped his home country, settling in with relatives in Los Angeles, California.



His football career started with local California side Orange County Blue Star before being picked by Columbus Crew in the 2006 MLS draft, where he spent a season scoring five goals in 36 appearances.



A move to the San Jose Earthquakes followed in 2008 where he linked up with former City player Darren Huckerby, moving on to Houston Dynamo where he made a further 32 appearances scoring seven goals.



In 2009 he made the move to Sporting Kansas City where he has enjoyed his most prolific spell in the MLS, scoring 31 goals in 98 appearances for Sporting as they pushed for the Eastern Conference championship last season, only to miss out to Houston Dynamo in the finals.

A 2012 MLS All-Star, Kamara has also been a finalist for MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year the past two seasons for his community efforts in Kansas City and his native Sierra Leone.

