Watford’s winter business has begun with the signing of Ivorian left-back Hassane Kamara from OGC Nice.
Here’s everything you need to know about our new defender, following his arrival at the club on a three-and-a-half-year deal…
Name: Hassane Kamara
Age: 27
Position: Left-Back
Former Clubs: Toulouse, LB Châteauroux, US Créteil, Stade de Reims, OGC Nice
Nationality: Ivorian
Constant for Club
Making 42 appearances in 2020/21 in all competitions, Kamara played the most games of any outfield player for Nice last term. The 27-year-old featured regularly in Ligue 1, Europa League and French Cup competition, scoring three times and assisting twice in his first season with Les Aiglons.
Solid At The Back, Powerful In Attack
Consistent in defence, Kamara has been part of a Nice side that has conceded the second-fewest in Ligue 1 this term, but he has demonstrated throughout his career that he is comfortable in both halves of the pitch through his ball-carrying, crossing ability and respectable goalscoring record from left-back. One highlight is his Europa League goal against Bayer Leverkusen last season, volleying first-time from a clearance into the bottom corner.
Ivory Coast Commitments
Though born in Saint-Denis, France, the explosive left-back has opted to play for the nation of his family, Ivory Coast. Kamara made his debut for The Elephants against Burkina Faso in June 2021, and has gone on to win a further four caps since.
Air Time
Kamara’s 5′6″ height may be deceiving for players looking to beat the Ivorian in the air. He scored an impressive goal against Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 for Reims, leaping over Loïc Mbe Soh (6′2″) to power home past Keylor Navas in a 2-0 victory.
L’Equipe’s Left-Back
Prior to signing for OGC Nice, Kamara plied his trade with Stade de Reims and was key to the side’s meteoric rise through Ligue 1. Part of the promotion-winning Reims side of 2017/18, Kamara helped his team finish eighth in their first season and sixth the season after, qualifying for Europa League competition. As a result of his outstanding performances, French newspaper L’Equipe named him the top-flight’s best left-back at the end of the 2019/20 season.
