Former national team forward Ola Kamara (34) will help Vålerenga to promotion from the Obosligaen.
Ola Kamara. Photo: Vålerenga Football
Published: 20.03.2024 10:35 | Updated: 20/03/2024 14:59
The striker has signed a contract until the end of the year, the club says.
He is brought in from the Swedish top club Häcken, where he played under coach Per-Mathias Høgmo last season. Kamara has previously played in both Stabæk, Strømsgodset and Molde in the Eliteserien.
In addition, he has played for SV Ried and Austria Wien in Austria, 1860 Munich in Germany, Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy and DC United in the American professional league and Shenzhen in China.
– The most important thing is that Ola is extremely motivated. When we spoke to him, he was clear that he really wanted to come to Vålerenga, and he really wants to show that he can do it, says Vålerenga coach Geir Bakke to the club’s website.
From last year’s relegation season, Bakke has lost both strikers: Success Andrej Ilic was sold to French Lille, and veteran Torgeir Børven returned home to Odd og Skien.
VIF has already brought in Mees Rijk (21) from the Netherlands as another attacker. Now the club supplements with a veteran in the hunt for a return to the elite series.
– Everyone can look at his date of birth, but he has been a dedicated player who has managed to keep this going. We have a fairly young pair of forwards here from before, and now we are bringing in someone who has scored goals on a regular basis throughout his career and who is extremely motivated, says Bakke.
– We have a young team with an average age of just over 22, and we wanted an experienced player who represents a good training culture. In addition to delivering for us, he will also act as a mentor for our young strikers, says sporting director Joacim Jonsson.
– Ola has always been careful to take care of his body and has hardly been injured during his very eventful career, points out Vålerenga’s boss.
Ola Kamara has seven goals in 17 international matches for Norway. Photo: Bjørn S. Delebekk, VG