Louisville City just announced a new player signing for 2021, 18 year old attacking midfielder Jay Tee Kamara! Some, myself included, might have thought that John Hackworth & Co. were done signing players after doing most of their business prior to the end of the calendar year, but we were wrong.
Kamara had participated at City trials in the past, and gotten some attention in the process. His agent calls him Sierre Leone Messi, for whatever that’s worth. His curated YouTube highlights are fun to watch, and this kid seems like he’ll be an exciting addition to Morados’ roster.
This move might not have happened if not for a serious leg injury to Elijah Wynder at a ECNL U19 tournament last weekend in Florida. Wynder, who recently signed a first-team contract, is expected to be out for quite some time. Injuries are part of the sport, obviously, but it’s terribly unfortunate that the homegrown kid got hurt playing in a youth showcase. We wish him the speediest and most successful of recoveries.
Back to Kamara. In truth, he fits an area of need in the roster, that being youthful depth at attacking midfield. Corben Bone and Paolo DelPiccolo ended up filling the creative role in oscillating turns in 2020. However, in the rare occasions that either was out of the starting XI, City’s attack gummed up a little bit. Kamara, who is naturally left-footed, has a quick first step, good touch, and can turn with the ball on a dime. He’s also evidently able to create his own shots against youth academy competition fairly easily, something City could really use if he’s able to develop that skill against professionals. He’s also a willing creator for others, and apparently a great locker room guy. All in all, a very good fit for Louisville City.
This is an exciting signing for Hackworth. I can’t wait to see Kamara in action in 2021. Welcome to Louisville, Jay Tee!
