Henri Camara

Henri Camara (born 10 May 1977) is a Senegalese former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Starting his career in the late 1990s, he went on to play professionally in France, Switzerland, Scotland, England, and Greece before retiring in 2018.

He began his career in France with Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (1998–1999), before playing for Swiss clubs Neuchâtel Xamax (1999–2000), and Grasshopper Club Zürich, where he won the Swiss Championship in 2001.

A full international between 1999 and 2008, he won 99 caps for the Senegal national team and scored 29 goals.

He represented his nation at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he scored two goals as Senegal reached the quarter-finals.

Camara was born in Dakar to a Guinean father and a Senegalese mother.

He then returned to France with Sedan but sought a new move when they were relegated in 2003.

Camara joined newly promoted English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2003 in a four-year deal for £1.5million.

He was a regular first-choice player, capable of creating goalscoring opportunities, but often guilty of erratic finishing that left him with just one goal from 23 games, this goal being the crucial winner as Wolves came back from 3 down at half time to beat relegation rivals Leicester City 4–3.

Towards the end of the season, he found his scoring touch and struck 6 times in the final 9 games.

While this could not prevent relegation, he was named the fans' Player of the Year.

However, Camara was unwilling to play at a lower level and did not turn up for pre-season training.

His future was further unsettled by a bid from Phil Gartside, Bolton Wanderers' chairman, which Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey rejected.

He eventually returned to the club but only to negotiate a loan move away.

Camara's route out of Wolves came in the form of Celtic, who paid £1.5million to take him on loan for the 2004–05 season.

His time in Scotland was disappointing, though, as he scored eight goals from twelve starts and six substitute appearances.

Camara claimed in the press that he would replace Henrik Larsson, who had just left the club.

He also requested Larsson's squad number (7) which he had had at a previous club as well, but was instead given number 27.

The loan deal was terminated during the January 2005 transfer window despite being contracted for longer, as he moved back to England with Southampton.

Here, he suffered relegation again as the Saints made the drop on the final day of the season.

Camara finally found a new permanent club when he was signed by Premiership newcomers Wigan Athletic in August 2005 in a three-year deal for £3million.

In 2006, his contract was extended to 2009 due to his outstanding goal scoring form.

He had a great time playing with Jason Roberts as they linked well.

He again found himself in a Premier League relegation battle, but it ended third time lucky for him as Wigan made a last day escape at the expense of Sheffield United.

Whilst at Wigan he started in the 2006 Football League Cup Final.

After Wigan manager Paul Jewell's resignation, Camara found himself out of favour at Wigan and he was loaned out to West Ham United, for the duration of the 2007–08 season, at the end of the Summer transfer window.

By his own admission, he has had a torrid time at West Ham and wants to preferably find another club in England.

Despite allowing him to leave on loan Steve Bruce suggested that if Camara wanted to stay at Wigan he was more than welcome to.

Camara scored a brace in his first game back for Wigan under Bruce in the 4–0 win in the League Cup over Notts County.

He then scored the match winner against Everton in a 1–0 victory for Wigan at the JJB Stadium on 24 November 2008, their first win against Everton on home soil.

He scored again against West Bromwich Albion the following match.

He was released by Wigan at the end of the 2008–09 season, after not being offered a new contract.

On 2 February 2009, Camara joined Stoke City on loan until the end of the season in search of regular first-team football.

He missed a glaring opportunity straight after coming off the bench for his debut at Sunderland, smashing a volley from 6 yards against the bar with the entire goal to aim for.

Camara spent much of the 2009 close-season on trial at Premier League club Hull City but was not offered a contract.

After initially rejecting a deal with the Blades, Camara signed a short-term agreement with the Sheffield club until the end of the season.

Camara made his début in a 4–3 loss to Cardiff City at the end of October and scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Peterborough United a month later.

He made 23 appearances that season, often from the bench, and scored four goals but was released when his contract expired as the club sought to cut the wage bill.

On 11 May 2010, Camara signed a one-year deal with Super League Greece side Atromitos.

On 19 June 2011, Camara signed a one-year deal with Super League side Panetolikos.