The 24-year-old Habib Keïta, teammate of Croatian international Bruno Petković at Turkish club Kocaelispor, left the team's training camp without permission. The club president revealed the background of this incredible story.
At the Turkish football club Kocaelispor, which counts Croatian international Bruno Petković among its members, the buzz these days is less about preparations for the new season and more about the disappearance of one player. The young midfielder from Mali, Habib Keïta, left the training camp without anyone's knowledge or permission, and the reason, according to the club president, is as incredible as it is romantic.
The story of Keïta, who officially became a Kocaelispor player just a month ago after the club bought him from French side Clermont Foot for €700,000, was revealed by president Recep Durul. He told Turkish media outlet Fanatik that the footballer simply vanished from training, all because of love.
"Of course, Keïta's departure without permission is not a pleasant thing. We could call it a lapse in judgment. According to our information, he fell in love with a girl and left because of her. He also wants to play elsewhere abroad, not in Turkey," Durul said.
The club president also revealed additional communication issues. "His agents sometimes answer the phone, and sometimes they don't. At Kocaelispor, we will initiate the necessary legal proceedings, but we've given him some time. They say he has received transfer offers from three or four clubs, but so far no official offer has reached us," Durul added.
Keïta, whose value Transfermarkt estimates at €2.5 million, played 33 matches for Kocaelispor last season, with whom he signed a contract this summer until 2028.
Despite the escape and the announcement of legal steps, Durul did not rule out the possibility of the 24-year-old returning to the squad. His statement reveals a pragmatic approach from a club that doesn't want to lose a valuable player.
"If Keïta returns, we at Kocaelispor will consider what is best for the club. If necessary, we will forgive him - that's not a problem. If necessary, we will bring him back into the squad. We haven't made a decision on that yet, but there will definitely be consequences. At this point, we don't know the extent of those consequences. When Keïta arrives, if he arrives, we will assess the situation. If he apologizes for his mistake, shows remorse, says his agents misled him, and admits he was wrong, I will sit down and think about it. Honestly, I would like to bring him back into the squad. He is a valuable player. So a long punishment wouldn't do us much good," Durul said.
While Kocaelispor deals with the romantic escape of their player, Turkish football is also shaken by the news of one of the biggest transfers in the history of the local league. According to Daily Sabah, Trabzonspor has reached an agreement with Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, and an official announcement is expected soon. The plan is for the famous forward to fly to Trabzon on Wednesday on a private plane, where numerous fans are already eagerly awaiting him.
Salah has played 442 matches for Liverpool, scored 257 goals, and provided 123 assists, winning the Champions League, multiple Premier League titles, and four Golden Boots. His arrival in Turkey would undoubtedly be one of the most high-profile transfers in the history of the Super Lig.
