Kara Mbodji


Serigne Modou Kara Mbodji, commonly known as Kara or Kara Mbodji, is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays for Al-Sailiya and the Senegal national team. He can be deployed as a defender, defensive midfielder or in the central midfield.

Club career

At the age of 15, Mbodji joined the Diambars academy in Dakar, Senegal. On 2 February 2010, he joined Norwegian club Tromsø IL. During his three seasons in the Norwegian Premier League, he was awarded best player of his team and twice second best player of the Championship.
On 31 December 2012, Mbodji joined KRC Genk for a fee of €1.4 million. After regularly starting for Genk in defence and winning the 2012–13 Belgian Cup, his contract was extended until June 2018.
On 7 August 2015, he joined R.S.C. Anderlecht for a fee of €4.5 million, signing a four-year deal until June 2019. In August 2017, he agreed a contract extension with the club until 2020. In his time at the club he made 97 appearances scoring 7 goals.
On 30 August 2018, one day before the closing of the 2018 summer transfer window, Mbodji moved to Ligue 1 side FC Nantes on loan for the 2018–19 season. Nantes also secured an option to sign him permanently. His loan ended early, in January 2019, with Mbodji citing lack of playing time.
On 20 July 2019, Al-Sailiya signed Kara Mbodji for three season from Anderlecht.

International career

Mbodji was a part of the Senegal team for the 2012 Olympic Games. He was included in the Senegal national football team's squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and scored in a 1–1 draw with South Africa in the team's second group match.
In June 2018 he was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.19 November 2014Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal1–03–02015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2.23 January 2015Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea1–11–12015 Africa Cup of Nations
3.15 January 2017Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon2–02–02017 Africa Cup of Nations
4.14 November 2017Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Senegal2–12–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Genk
Anderlecht