FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NASL's Jacksonville Armada Signs La Liga Veteran and Ex-Swiss Super League Golden Boot Striker - Guinean Alhassane Keita

Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) – January 7, 2015

Stone Sports Management, LLC (“SSM”) and Gold Kick CH (“Gold Kick”) together are pleased to announce that 2015 North American Soccer League (“NASL”) Expansion Franchise Jacksonville Armada has signed former UEFA and Asian Champions League Striker Alhassane Keita.  Coming to North America puts Keita in rare company as he will begin his Armada career playing on a fourth continent, having previously been his club’s leading goal scorer on each of the previous three (Africa, Europe and the Middle East).  

“This is a tremendous signing for Jacksonville Armada and the NASL with the club securing a quality goal scorer who is still in his prime and should be one of the fastest players in the league,” says SSM's President and Players' Agent Justin B. Stone. “Every club desires a proven Striker, and Alhassane Keita certainly fills that role for the Armada.  He has had success scoring goals throughout his career in Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the Middle East.  I am confident that he will continue that success in Jacksonville and applaud the Armada's commitment to make this signing happen.”

“We are very pleased to welcome a pedigree like Keita’s,” said Armada FC General Manager Dario Sala. “He has been successful against top competition overseas, and I look forward to seeing what dynamic he can bring to our club.”

The 31-year old former Guinean International joins the Armada after spending the last 18 months back in the Swiss Super League with St. Gallen where he posted 7 Goals in 29 appearances in the UEFA Europa League, Swiss Super League and the Swiss Cup during the 2013/2014 season between, accumulating a strike rate of 1 goal every 2.1 games (by total minutes played).  He previously played in Switzerland with FC Zurich from 2001 through 2006 and would go on to play over 70 games in Spain’s La Liga and Segunda Division as well as three seasons in the Middle East based in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Keita recently terminated the remaining six months left on his original two-year contract with St. Gallen to come to the Armada.

“I am really looking forward to starting something special in Jacksonville, and the Armada’s project really excited me after I visited the club in November,” remarked Keita.  “Head Coach Jose Luis Villarreal’s system is ideal for my playing style, and he and General Manager Dario Sala really welcomed me, so I cannot wait to join my teammates for pre-season.”

Keita currently remains in Spain awaiting his P-1 Visa.  He will then join the Armada’s pre-season in Jacksonville along with his wife and three children one of whom is already an American citizen having been born in the United States.

In 2000/2001, a 17-year old Keita emerged as Olympique Club de Khouribga’s leading scorer with 12 goals.  Swiss Super League side FC Zurich took notice and signed Keita to a multi-year contract.  After adjusting in his first season to European football, he started the 2002/2003 season with an immediate impression scoring 5 goals in his first 3 matches.  The following season Keita would start a three-year streak of trophy seasons winning the 2004-2005 Swiss Cup and was selected to play in the 2014 African Cup of Nations with Guinea.  Keita broke out once again at the club level during the 2005/2006 season where he led the Swiss Super League with an impressive 20 Goals in 32 matches and had an additional 4 goals in 8 matches between the Swiss Cup and UEFA Cup.  Keita’s contributions helped FC Zurich win the league title and qualify for the prestigious UEFA Champions League.  After scoring 5 goals in his first 7 games (including UEFA champions League), the following season (which FC Zurich would go on to win the 2006-2007 Swiss Super League crediting him with another league title), he transferred to Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad Jidda.  He rewarded the club by responding with a team leading 12 Goals in 22 league games securing the league title and adding more goals during the club’s run towards lifting the one of the Cup trophies.  He would go on to score 28 goals in 40 games for Al-Ittihad prompting interest from Hertha Berlin and Red Bull Salzburg.

(Photo: Alhassane Keita lifting the Swiss Cup with FC Zurich)

La Liga side Mallorca had previously lost out to the Saudi’s for Keita’s service but was able to secure his signature at the start of the 2008-2009 season on a five-year contract.  He started out scoring 13 goals in his first two seasons, including goals against Real Madrid and Barcelona and helped Mallorca to the Copa de Rey Semi-Finals scoring 4 Goals in 6 games before losing 1-0 to Barcelona.  In Summer 2011, Mallorca loaned him to Real Valladolid for six months before returning to the Middle East with Saudi side Al-Shabab Riyadh on a 3-year contract scoring 7 goals in just 9 league matches, including 2 in the Asian Champions League.  Keita would move to the United Arab Emirates the following window joining recently promoted Emirates Club and remain there until his contract expired before joining St. Gallen

“I have worked with several agents from many different countries and cultures throughout my career and have really enjoyed how well everything has been organized with my transfer to Jacksonville Armada,” says Keita.  “I am happy and thankful for the cooperation between my Swiss agents Gold Kick and SSM and look forward to working with Justin Stone on and off the field as I build my future in North America.”

(Photo: Alhassane Keita and Agent Justin B. Stone at the Armada Offices after signing)

SSM would like to thank Jacksonville Armada Owner Mark Frisch, President Steve Livingstone, General Manager Dario Sala, Head Coach Jose Luis Villareal and Director of Soccer Operations Nate Walter for all of their assistance and support with this transfer.

SSM would also like to thank Gold Kick in its collaboration with this transfer and wish Alhassane Keita a successful transition to the Jacksonville Armada as they start their inaugural NASL season.   

Click HERE for the Jacksonville Armada’s 2015 NASL Schedule and check out below Keita's Highlights from St. Gallen, La Liga and the Middle East. 

Please contact Justin Stone by phone at +001 202 712 9104 or email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for more info. 

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About Stone Sports Management, LLC

From developmental to Designated Players, Stone Sports Management, LLC is a Washington, DC based boutique agency representing football/soccer players domestically and internationally.  Stone Sports Management takes a cooperative approach to athlete representation in order to provide the most opportunity for its clients.  Since its 2008 inception, Stone Sports Management has represented a versatile client portfolio having negotiated contracts for its clients based in Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Israel, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United States. 

Follow Stone Sports Management on Twitter @StoneSportsMgmt