The 27-year-old’s deal ended as September drew to a close, making him able to sign with any other club of his choice
Asante Kotoko striker Naby Keita has become a free agent after his contract expired in September, AshesGyamera.com understands.
Although the Guinean international was hopeful of signing a contract renewal before the deadline, Kotoko opted not to give him another chance after failing to hugely impress the supporters and club’s top hierarchy, making him now officially unattached.
Keita had a frustrating campaign last season as he could only bang in three goals in as many matches as he featured and what made him very unpopular was the late penalty he missed in the defeat against Etoile due Sahel in Caf Confederation Cup last season. He even fell down the pecking order following the appointment of Portuguese coach Mariano Baretto mid season.
Despite the sale of Kwame Opoku to Algerian club USM Alger, leaving Kotoko in a high demand of a potent striker, Keita failed to step up his performance and lost his place in the team to new strikers Andy Kumi, Evans Adomako and Solomon Sarfo Taylor.
Keita, who will be remembered for his role in Kotoko’s run to win the Normalisation Cup in 2019, joined the club as a free agent from FC Renaissance Club De Conakry in 2018 to join former striker Songne Yacouba.
He became the first major signing under former coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor after impressing during a two-week trial at the club’s training ground at Adako Jachie in Kumasi.
According to reports, Prosper Ogum Narteh, who is expected to take over from Baretto as the new coach of Kotoko, believes the club should sign WAFA striker Justus Torsutsey who netted six goals in 16 games last season for the Sogakope-based club.
Ogum is believed to have rated Torsutsey, who doubles as military man, as the perfect player to replace Keita after signing him from Hasaacas to WAFA in the second round of last season.
Torsutsey will become the second player to join Kotoko after Inter Allies midfielder Richmond Lamptey signed a three-year contract with the club on Thursday.
The tactician is expected to arrive in Kumasi next week as Kotoko put their house together before they can start the pre-season.