Sega Keita Explained

Sega Keïta
Fullname:Sega Keïta
Birth Date:3 March 1992
Birth Place:Orsay, France
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2000–2007
Youthclubs1:Les Ulis
Youthyears2:2007–2010
Youthclubs2:Troyes
Years1:2009–2014
Clubs1:Troyes
Caps1:32
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2013
Clubs2:Rouen (loan)
Caps2:27
Goals2:1
Years3:2015–2017
Clubs3:Tubize
Caps3:62
Goals3:12
Nationalyears1:2009–2010
Nationalteam1:France U18
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2010–2011
Nationalteam2:France U19
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:4
Pcupdate:1 October 2017

Sega Keïta (born 3 March 1992, in Orsay) is a French football player of Senegalese descent, who last played for French club Troyes. He was a French youth international and has played for the under-19 team. Keïta plays as a midfielder.

Career

Early career

Keïta was born in the commune of Orsay in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, and began his football career at age eight, playing for local club CO Les Ulis, the same club that produced France national team's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry.

Keïta joined the club and trained alongside fellow youth starlet Yaya Sanogo, before securing a move to second division outfit Troyes AC. Upon his arrival at the club during the 2007–08 season, he struggled due to ongoing groin injuries during his first year, which saw him only appear in eight games, scoring one goal in the Championnat National des 16 ans.

The following season, due to full health, his statistics improved. He appeared in 28 games, scoring 15 goals, and also made seven assists.[1]

On 29 May 2009, with Troyes' relegation to third-tier Championnat National already confirmed, Keïta made his professional debut in a Ligue 2 match against Bastia, appearing as a substitute in the 59th minute for Claudio Beauvue. Troyes lost the match 2–1.[2]

Professional career

On 15 August 2009, Keïta made his Championnat National debut in the 5–0 victory over Plabennec, appearing as a substitute.[3]

He drew considerable interest from several clubs before signing his professional contract with Troyes. Notable clubs that sought his services included Premier League club Arsenal, Italian clubs Milan and Internazionale, and Ligue 1 club Marseille.[4] [5]

French football legend Zinedine Zidane personally recommended the player to Spanish giants Real Madrid.[6] However, despite the interest, on 14 October 2009, Keïta agreed to a three-year professional contract with Troyes. Four days later, he earned his first start in a Coupe de France match against amateur club SA Sézanne. In the match, Keïta scored two goals. Five days later, he earned his first league start, playing 70 minutes in a 1–0 victory over Amiens.[7] After Troyes were promoted to Ligue 1 from Ligue 2 in the 2011–12 season, in July he was loaned to the Championnat National side FC Rouen for the 2012–13 season.

Career statistics

(Correct as of 30 June 2013)

ClubSeasonLeagueCup[8] Europe[9] Total
AppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
Troyes2008–09101000000101
2009–1014002200001620
2010–118003000001100
2011–12701200000901
Total30027200003722
Rouen (loan)2012–1327102000002910
Total27102000002910
Career total57129200006632

Notes

  1. News: Sega Keita, un joyau dans un écrin . Liberation Champagne . 6 October 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  2. News: Bastia v. Troyes Match Report . . 29 May 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  3. News: Troyes v. Plabennec Match Report . Foot National . 15 August 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  4. News: Troyes striker Sega Keita wanted by AC Milan, Inter . Tribal Football . 20 September 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  5. News: Troyes striker Sega Keita interesting Arsenal . Tribal Football . 24 October 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  6. News: Zidane Recommends Troyes Teenager Sega Keita To Real Madrid . Total Football Madness . 27 October 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  7. News: Troyes v. Amiens Match Report . Foot National . 23 October 2009 . 30 January 2010.
  8. Includes Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophée des Champions
  9. Includes UEFA Supercup