By: Abdulai Sankoh.
Sierra Leone International Emmanuel Sahr Samadia, who signed for US league side Hartford Athletic ahead of the 2024 season.
Samadia joins Hartford Athletic football club after a three year stint with Hapoel Umm al-Fahm and Hapoel Rishon leZion of Liga Leumit, the second division of the Israeli Football League, making 89 appearances for the club since 2020, while having provided 10 assists and scoring two goals since that period. In January of 2023, Samadia helped his side win the Liga Leumit Toto Cup in Israel.
“Emmanuel is a young, ambitious player that has great potential. He is an exceptional athlete who has shown well for his national team against some of Africa’s best teams,” said Hartford Athletic CEO Nick Sakiewicz.
Samadia began his professional career with FC Kallon in 2019. In 2020, he received his first call up to the Sierra Leone National Team and has received 13 total international caps since making his international debut for the Leone Stars. Most recently, the 22 year old recorded assists in back to back matches against Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau in the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Hartford Athletic is an American professional soccer team based in Hartford, Connecticut. The club was founded in 2018 and started play in the USL Championship in 2019. It is the only pro soccer team in Connecticut competing in the USL Championship United Soccer League.
In his response, Samadia disclosed that he feels delighted for such an opportunity. He thanked the management of the Hatford Athletic football club for the trust and opportunity. I believe that we can achieve great things together through hard work and dedication, he stated. He concluded by expressing anticipating to meet with the fans of Hatford Athletic football club.
