COMMERCE CITY – Colorado Rapids have loaned center back Aboubacar Keita to Bohemian FC in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the club announced Thursday afternoon. It is a one-year loan for 2024. The Rapids retain the right to recall Keita. The press release did not mention an option to buy.
The 23-year-old came to Colorado in January 2022 from Columbus Crew. He tore his ACL that March and missed the entire season. He came back late in the 2023 preseason, but spent most of the year training with other bench players and playing for Rapids 2. He has yet to play for the first team in official competition.
“Bouba is a player that we have high hopes for in this organization, and we believe this loan will provide him the opportunity to build match fitness and get back to playing competitive football,” said Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor.
Keita started the 2024 preseason training with TSV Hartberg of the Austrian Bundesliga but a move never materialized. Sources have told Burgundy Wave that Bouba wanted a move to Europe with a better chance at playing time. Keita’s injury was unfortunate timing as Colorado is now stacked with several young center backs who all want minutes.
The kid needs to play. Bohemian just had former Hailstorm captain Rob Cornwall tear his ACL, so there’s a spot open at center back. This writer doesn’t rate the first division in Ireland relative to MLS or the Austrian Bundesliga. Surely if he’s going to a league that USL League One players move to, this move shouldn’t elicit excitement that other moves to Europe bring for MLS Homegrowns.
Scans have confirmed that Bohemians defender Rob Cornwall suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during Friday's 2-2 draw against Sligo Rovers.
Manager Declan Devine said: “It's devastating news for the group to lose such an inspirational player, and Rob himself is… pic.twitter.com/KvMBF4W0pK
“The club has been trying to get a top left-sided centre-back for a number of years now and Aboubacar really fits the bill. He is a player who I believe has the potential to go very far in this game. He has pace, power, experience and bags of ability, and I am over the moon that we have finally got him in,” Bohs manager Declan Devine said.
“He has been one of our top targets and there has been a lot of work going on in the background over the past number of weeks to ensure that we got this deal over the line.”
If it’s at a level Keita can for sure start and play well, good for him. If he gets even a bit more exposure to European scouts than he would have in MLS NEXT Pro, it’s a step in the right direction. Maybe club President Pádraig Smith had some good insight that made the deal happen.
Rapids fans wouldn’t be at fault for forgetting Keita was on the team. Moïse Bombito, Nate Jones, and Mike Edwards are well regarded within the organization. Keita might never actually play for Colorado’s first team, but if this loan helps his career progress and Colorado has other center backs who take steps forward in 2024, everybody wins. Except the one Rapids fan who bought a Keita jersey. If that’s you, let us know in the comments.
Photo Credit: Colorado Rapids
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Meant no disrespect, Del. What I meant to say relative to other leagues in Europe that Keita was looking at (Austria for example). I think it’s fair to say MLS is above the League of Ireland. The President of the Rapids is from Ireland and has made similar comments. When a young American says they way to play in Europe, they’re not talking about Ireland. I look forward to paying more attention to the league this year with Keita playing it and being educated on it. Be well.
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Brendan Ploen 
“This writer doesn’t rate the first division in Ireland”
Maybe your opinion might change if you actually watched the league. Douche
Meant no disrespect, Del. What I meant to say relative to other leagues in Europe that Keita was looking at (Austria for example). I think it’s fair to say MLS is above the League of Ireland. The President of the Rapids is from Ireland and has made similar comments. When a young American says they way to play in Europe, they’re not talking about Ireland. I look forward to paying more attention to the league this year with Keita playing it and being educated on it. Be well.