| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1979-11-28)28 November 1979 (age 45) | ||
| Place of birth | Nzérékoré,Guinea | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder,Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2007 | Perak | 75 | (50) |
| 2007–2008 | Brunei DPMM | 21 | (11) |
| 2009–2010 | Portland Timbers | 39 | (12) |
| 2009–2010 | →Salgaocar (loan) | 9 | (8) |
| 2010–2012 | Pune FC | 17 | (16) |
| 2013 | Kelantan | 11 | (5) |
| Total | 172 | (102) | |
| International career | |||
| 1998–2001 | Guinea U23 | 16 | (10) |
| 2001–2011 | Guinea | 36 | (16) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Mandjou Keita (born 28 November 1979) is aGuinean international formerfootballer who plays as anattacking midfielder orforward.
Keita began his professional career in Malaysia withPerak, making his debut on 12 September 2004 againstPKNS FC. He impressed Perak FA's fans so much that he was carried off the pitch by two jubilant fans after the match[1] He went on to play a key role in Perak FA'sMalaysian FA Cup winning team, which led to his contract being renewed for the2005 season.
Keita won the Golden Boot award for the2006 season, scoring 17 goals. He was one of the three nominees for the Favourite Import Player award in the inaugural Malaysian football awards but he did not win.[2]
He was linked with a move away from the club toIndonesian teamPersija Jakarta in 2007,[3] but did not let those rumours affect his on-pitch performance, and ended up Perak's top scorer once again for the 2006/2007 season.
Keita was released from his contract at the end of the 2007 season due to "family issues", and after attending trials withFrench sideFC Lorient.[4] signed withBruneian sideBrunei DPMM FC, and played one season for them in the SingaporeanS. League.
In January 2009, Keita signed withPortland Timbers in theUSL First Division.[5] Keita's preferred playing position is as a striker, but he can also operate in midfield behind the front two.
Following the 2009 USL-1 season, Portland loaned Keita toSalgaocar S.C. of the IndianI-League.[6] Keita returned to Portland in April, 2010.[7]
After returning to the Timbers from loan, Keita failed to find his form in the2010 season. Keita appeared in 10 league games and scored just one goal. On 1 September, Keita was transferred toIndian clubPune.[8]
On 3 December 2010 Keita started hisI-League journey withPune FC first game of the season, a tie 1-1 againstMohun Bagan.[9][10] On 30 January 2011 Keita scored his first hat-trick for the club againstJCT Mills in theI-League.
After two season with Pune FC, Keita returned toMalaysia to join Malaysian club Kelantan FA as the fourth import player for the2012 AFC Cup competition.[11] However, he was not eligible to play in the AFC Cup because of problems with regard to his International Transfer Certificates (ITC).
Keita was a member and captain of theGuinea U-23 national team.