Here are Some of the Sierra Leoneans Abroad Taking the Footballing World by Storm

Sierra Leonean footballers abroad now play in ten countries, from England’s League One to Japan’s second division. The 2026/27 season has already moved several of them.

Take Sallieu Bah. The 20-year-old midfielder played for Wilberforce Strikers in Sierra Leone until this February when he impressed, on trial, and signed for Zorya Luhansk in the Ukrainian Premier League. This one move changed his career, and he has played for the senior national team too.

Bah has company. 

This piece follows 16 players. At least five are 21 or younger, and at least five play on loan from bigger clubs.

Many of these stories start at home. 

Alie Conteh played for Goderich and East End Lions, Alhassan Koroma came through Marampa Stars, Jay Tee Kamara began at Alaska FC in Freetown, and Momoh Kamara at Mattia FC.

This piece follows players whose clubs appear in published reports and club pages last verified on October 19, 2026.

Sierra Leonean Footballers Abroad in England

England pulls the most players. Five Sierra Leoneans play there this season.

Kamil Conteh moved in July. The Sierra Leone international midfielder left Bristol Rovers for Bromley, who play in League One for the first time.

Kamil Conteh pictured at Bromley FC following his summer move to the League One side.

Hindolo Mustapha, 20, had a rougher start. Crystal Palace sent him to Wigan Athletic on loan, but the spell ended after 39 days. On 11 August 2026, he joined Notts County on loan until the end of the season. He already has a Leone Stars goal, against Zambia in 2024.

Crystal Palace midfielder Hindolo Mustapha smiling after finalizing his loan deal to Notts County.

Daniel Kanu joined him at Notts County on 31 August 2026. The striker arrived on loan from Charlton Athletic.

Forward Daniel Kanu posing in his Charlton Athletic kit before joining Notts County on loan.

At Barnet, forward Idris Kanu has settled in. He signed in 2022 and has scored 21 goals in 174 games. Barnet play in League Two.

Winger Sullay Kaikai has stayed at Cambridge United since July 2023. The club plays in League One this season.

Germany: Two Roads to the Bundesliga

Sierra Leonean defender Juma Bah in action for FC Augsburg during a German Bundesliga clash. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Germany offers two roads. 

Juma Bah, 20, took the fast one. The Sierra Leone centre-back moved from Real Valladolid to Manchester City in early 2025. He then played on loan at RC Lens and OGC Nice. This season, Augsburg signed him on loan, with an option to buy.

Mustapha Bundu took the other road. The Leone Stars forward left Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer in 2025. He then signed a three-year deal with second-division Hannover 96.

Denmark: Mohamed Sankoh’s Superliga Move

Dutch-born striker Mohamed Sankoh during a training session with Danish Superliga side Randers FC.

Mohamed Sankoh grew up in the Netherlands. 

The Dutch-born striker is of Sierra Leonean heritage and has played on loan at Vitesse, Heracles Almelo and Cosenza in Italy. On 6 July 2026, he joined Denmark’s Randers FC from Stuttgart’s reserve side. His contract runs to June 2030.

Finland, Sweden and Ireland

Striker Alie Conteh found his goals in Finland. 

Norway’s Strømsgodset loaned him to Inter Turku until the end of 2026. He has scored 10 league goals this season. On home turf, he scored for Sierra Leone against Zimbabwe on 24 September in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Striker Alie Conteh celebrating a goal after making a massive impact in Finland’s top tier.

Momoh Kamara, 21, helped Sierra Leone’s U-20 side qualify for the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Now the midfielder plays for Elfsborg in Sweden as he is on loan from Minnesota United until December, with an option to buy. 

Foot Africa reported in October that he has six goals this season.

Midfielder Momoh Kamara on national duty following his stellar performances in Swedish football.

In Ireland, 19-year-old midfielder John Bilili Sesay joined Bray Wanderers from Bhantal FC in January. They play in the League of Ireland First Division.

The United States

Two Sierra Leoneans chase their careers in the United States. 

Jay Tee Kamara and Augustine Williams represent Sierra Leonean talent in the US soccer leagues.

Freetown-born forward Augustine Williams joined Hartford Athletic in January. He scored nine goals for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 2025, when they won the USL Championship.

Midfielder Jay Tee Kamara plays for Portland Hearts of Pine. He made his Sierra Leone debut in March against Azerbaijan.

Japan and the UAE

Further east striker, Amadou Bakayoko has played for J2 club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo since 2024. 

Striker Amadou Bakayoko celebrating a goal for Japanese side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.

Winger Alhassan Koroma joined Baniyas SC in the UAE on 3 October 2025 from Qatar’s Al Shahaniya. He has 22 caps for Sierra Leone.

Winger Alhassan Koroma posing in his official club kit in the UAE.

Catch Sierra Leoneans Love for Sport This December!

This December, the Sierra Leone Diaspora Week will bring Diaspora Wars to Freetown!

On December 30th, 2026, Bureh Beach will host the Diaspora Wars Beach Sports Day. Sierra Leoneans from home and abroad will compete in teams in sports including scrabble, sprint, tug-of-war, and so much more. 

In order to take part, interested persons must choose a team and up to two games. Competitors must be not less than 18 years of age. To participate, interested persons must register at https://makesierraleonefamous.com/diaspora-wars/. 

However, the All-Access Pass is needed to access all the fun! This pass provides full access to all week’s activities, including premier conference seating with daily breakfast and lunch, VIP seating at the Diaspora Excellence Awards Gala, entrance to the Diaspora Wars and bonfire, and so much more!

Ready to secure your spot? Head over to https://makesierraleonefamous.com/pricing-plans/ and grab your ticket today!

Vickie Remoe, founder and Chair of the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference, curates Diaspora Week. It runs in three phases.

The Investment phase will be on 28–29 December 2026, which is the SLDIC conference.

The celebration phase is from 30 December to 2 January; it entails Diaspora Sports Day, the Beach Bonfire, culture days and The Song of Njama theatre performance.

Building phase, 4–5 January: an Investment Bootcamp and a Trade, Agribusiness and Eco-Tourism Tour.

Visit https://makesierraleonefamous.com/agenda/ to find out more about the week.