Striker Macoumba Kandji, eligible for the Scorpions through his mum, has gotten himself a new club after signing a short term deal with Finnish top-tier side FC Inter Turku.
The 31-year-old, a free agent since leaving HJK Helsinki in January last year, pens a deal that will see him stay at the Turku-based club until the end of July.
The 6ft 4in striker, born to a Senegalese father, debuted for his new club in their 2-1 away win at bottom club JJK on Saturday, coming on as a 59th minute substitute.
“I’ve been following Mac for some time and in the short contract, we gave him a chance to prove his skills and physical condition with little risk. He also expressed interest to come and accepted the offer to show his qualities,” Turku’s gaffer Shefki Kuqi told the press.
“He is able to play on both wings and at the top on his own. He gives us options, as is the case with a different type of player than any other of our players. He is very fast, very tall and can also bring other special qualities when on attack.”
Kandji’s footballing education came in the USA where he starred with the Atlanta Silverbacks before being snapped up by the New York Red Bulls.
He was then traded to Colorado Rapids, though he did win the MLS Cup with the Denver-based side, tearing his ACL playing while scoring what would be the winning goal and the fifth best ever MLS Cup moment.
After a year or so recovering from that somewhat bittersweet injury, Kandji spent one year at Houston Dynamo before his MLS deal expired and he joined Greek side Kalloni on a short term deal.
He then moved to Levadiakos in the Greek Super League but his European journey didn’t work out as he hoped as after not receiving any salary for over three months, he decided to go to FIFA to be released from his contract.
And after months of wrangling, he was finally free of his Greek nightmare and in April 2014 his Finnish fairytale began with HJK.
The lanky forward dons the number 14 jersey at Turku who hosts Ebrima Sohna’s VPS in their next match on Friday.
