Monday 13 October 2014 18:41, UK
Kei Kamara saw his Middlesbrough deal ended and a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers break down, but is happy to have ended up in MLS with Columbus Crew.
The 30-year-old forward was released at the Riverside Stadium over the summer, with his contract cancelled by mutual consent.
An opportunity to remain in England at Molineux soon presented itself, but work permit issues scuppered any hope of a move being pushed through.
That has led Sierre Leone international Kamara back to America, and back on to the books of a club he previously represented in 2006/07.
A few weeks ago I was at Wolverhampton who offered me a contract to play for them and I said yes, but the next minute I found out that my work permit was turned down because of my country Sierra Leone dropping in the FIFA rankings.
He told MLS Now: “Things were good at Boro.
"I got the transfer over there and Tony Mowbray was the manager who gave me my shot and an opportunity, and I proved myself and scored some goals.
“I got knocked down with an injury later on in the season and a new manager (Aitor Karanka) came in.
"Everything was still going well but different people have a different view with the way they want to play, and maybe I wasn’t perfect enough for the formation or the style of play that was coming into Boro.
“I didn’t think I could help the club as much anymore so mutually we spoke about it what the future would be for the club and it was a mutual agreement.
“I am happy and wish them the best of luck.”
Kamara added: “After we terminated (the contract) I had different options.
"A few weeks ago I was at Wolverhampton who offered me a contract to play for them and I said yes, but the next minute I found out that my work permit was turned down because of my country Sierra Leone dropping in the FIFA rankings.
“It all came because of the disaster out there at the minute with Ebola.
"We are not able to play games in Sierra Leone and we play every game away.
"We lost the last couple of games and dropped in the FIFA rankings so my permit got turned down.
“They were all some of the factors but I knew there was a place that I called home, there’s a place I can always prove myself.
“(The MLS) is one of the best leagues I’ve played in.
"I’ve played in the Championship and the Premier League and the MLS really isn’t that far away.”
