Former professional footballer Cherno Samba, who played a central role in securing the most lucrative contract ever awarded to a Gambian player in Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh‘s transfer to Al Ahli, gave Footy-Africa exclusive details behind the deal.
Gambian teenager has officially signed a five-year contract with Saudi Pro League giants Al Ahli, completing his move from Norwegian club Tromsø IL in a deal worth €7 million. The transfer now stands as the biggest sale in Tromsø’s history.
“It is not easy for deals like this to get done easily. It takes experience, the contacts, and it takes really, really, really great work to make things like this happen. And sometimes people look at it as if it just happens just like that, but it is not.”
“It takes time as well as precision, so you have to know what you’re doing to get this kind of magnitude of a deal, but I’m happy for him.”
Samba described the contract as a life-changing opportunity that could have a lasting impact on the player’s family for generations.
Al Ahli sign Gambian defender Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh from Tromsø
“He deserves it. It’s a life-changing deal for him and it’s generational wealth and this is the reason why I made a decision for that because opportunities like that only come once, especially in this kind of industry for boys with a short career and sometimes these kind of opportunities only comes once.”
The agent revealed that while the original plan was for Kinteh to continue his development in Europe, the financial and professional package presented by Al Ahli was impossible to ignore.
“So our decision was Europe but there was no way, shape, or form I would allow him to turn this down. It’s generational wealth, and it’s something that he won’t have to worry about financially for the rest of his family, including future generations.”
The 19-year-old becomes only the second Gambian footballer to represent Al Ahli, following former Scorpions winger Modou Barrow.
Under the terms of the agreement, Kinteh will earn an annual salary of $4 million, with the five-year contract carrying a total value of $20 million.
Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh completes Al Ahli medical ahead of record-breaking transfer
Kinteh’s move comes after a breakthrough season with Tromsø, where he established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Norwegian football. His impressive performances attracted interest from several European clubs, including Belgian side Club Brugge, but Al Ahli ultimately won the race for his signature.
