Parma have officially announced the permanent signing of Mandela Keita from Royal Antwerp. The Belgian midfielder, born in 2002, joins the Italian side with an impressive track record in the Belgian league.
Keita is known for his specific playing characteristics, ranking at the top of the Belgian league in tackles and passes completed. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest midfielder in the Belgian championship since 2021 to reach at least 80 appearances.
The young talent has already achieved significant milestones in his career, including his debut with the Belgian national team in a 3-2 victory over Austria on October 13, 2023, and his first appearance in the Champions League. With Antwerp, Keita amassed 64 total appearances and scored one goal.
Upon joining Parma, Keita expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m very happy to become part of this historic Italian club. I appreciated the trust Parma Calcio has placed in me and the project they presented. I will give my all to help my teammates achieve great results, and I hope to demonstrate my qualities to the club’s fans. I can’t wait to start. See you soon and forza Parma!”
Mauro Pederzoli, Parma’s Sporting Director, commented on the signing: “Mandela Keita is an international profile of absolute depth and caliber. His arrival enhances the market conducted by our club and refines the outline of a squad we wanted to complete with specific characteristics. We are happy because in a few days he will be available to our coach Fabio Pecchia and his staff, as well as his teammates. We are pleased to have reached an agreement in the last 24 hours before the market closure, in an operation we had been working on for a long time.”
