Sega Keita
Encyclopedia
Sega Keïta is a French football player of Senegal
ese descent who currently plays for French club Troyes
in Ligue 2
. He is a French youth international
and is currently playing on the under-19 team
. Keïta plays as a midfielder
.
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 produce France national team
's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry
. Keïta joined the club 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 being fully healthy, his statistics improved appearing in 28 games scoring 15 goals and also compiling seven assists. 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.
appearing as a substitute. 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
. French football legend Zinedine Zidane
personally recommended the player to Spanish giants Real Madrid
. 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
.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese descent who currently plays for French club Troyes
Troyes AC
Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne is a French association football club, based in Troyes. It was founded in 1900. The club was promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2005–06 season and their first Ligue 1 season was in 1954/55, and their second spell came in 1999/2000 Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube...
in Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. He is a French youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
and is currently playing on the under-19 team
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
. Keïta plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Early career
Keïta was born in the communeCommunes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
of Orsay
Orsay
Orsay is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France. It is located in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, from the center of Paris.Inhabitants of Orsay are known as Orcéens.-History:...
in the southwestern suburbs of Paris and began his football career at age eight playing for local club CO Les Ulis
CO Les Ulis
Le Club Omnisports des Ulis is a French association football club founded in 1977. They are based in Les Ulis, Essonne and are currently playing in the Division Supérieure Régionale of Île-de-France, the seventh tier of the French football league system. They play at the Stade Salinier, named after...
, the same club that produce France national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
. Keïta joined the club trained alongside fellow youth starlet Yaya Sanogo
Yaya Sanogo
Yaya Sanogo is a French football player who currently plays for French club Auxerre in Ligue 1. He is a French youth international having represented his country at under-16, under-17, and under-19 level. Sanogo formerly served as captain of the under-17 team...
before securing a move to second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
outfit Troyes AC
Troyes AC
Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne is a French association football club, based in Troyes. It was founded in 1900. The club was promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2005–06 season and their first Ligue 1 season was in 1954/55, and their second spell came in 1999/2000 Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube...
. Upon his arrival at the club during the 2007–08 season, he struggled due to ongoing groin
Groin
In human anatomy, the groin areas are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area. This is also known as the medial compartment of the thigh. A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful injury sustained by straining the hip adductor muscles...
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 being fully healthy, his statistics improved appearing in 28 games scoring 15 goals and also compiling seven assists. On 29 May 2009, with Troyes' relegation to third-tier Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
already confirmed, Keïta made his professional debut in a Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
match against Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
appearing as a substitute in the 59th minute for Claudio Beauvue
Claudio Beauvue
Claudio Beauvue is a striker currently playing for French club LB Châteauroux on loan from Troyes AC.He signed for then Ligue 1 side Troyes AC in the summer of 2006 from FC Nantes.-External links:...
. Troyes lost the match 2–1.
Professional career
On 15 August 2009, Keïta made his Championnat National debut in the 5–0 victory over PlabennecStade Plabennecois
Stade Plabennecois Football is a French association football club based in the commune of Plabennec. The club was founded in 1934 and currently play in the Championnat National, the level of French football having achieved promotion to the league after winning its group in the 2008–09 edition of...
appearing as a substitute. 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
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, Italian clubs Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
and Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, and Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
club Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. French football legend Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane was a leading figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship...
personally recommended the player to Spanish giants Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
. 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
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
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
Amiens SC
Amiens Sporting Club is a French association football club based in Amiens. The club was formed in 1901 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. The club plays its home matches at the Stade de la Licorne located within the city...
.
Career statistics
(Correct as of 18 December 2010)| Club | Season | League | CupIncludes Coupe de France Coupe de France The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation... , Coupe de la Ligue Coupe de la Ligue The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel... , Trophée des Champions Trophée des champions The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... Includes UEFA Supercup |
Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Troyes Troyes AC Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne is a French association football club, based in Troyes. It was founded in 1900. The club was promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2005–06 season and their first Ligue 1 season was in 1954/55, and their second spell came in 1999/2000 Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube... |
2008–09 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Championnat National The 2009–10 Championnat National was the 17th edition of the 3rd division league. Play commenced on 7 August 2009 and ended on 21 May 2010.-Promotion and relegation:Teams relegated from Ligue 2 2008–09* 18th Place: Amiens* 19th Place: Reims... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Ligue 1 The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 22 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 0 | |
| Career total | 22 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 0 | |