Ilay Camara

Ilay Camara

Personal information
Date of birth	(2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth	Bonheiden, Belgium
Position(s)	Full back, winger
Team information
Current team	Standard Liège
Number	17
Youth career
	Keerbergen
	OH Leuven
	Anderlecht
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2023	Anderlecht B	30	(0)
2023–	RWDM	28	(3)
2024–	Standard Liège	6	(0)
International career
2018	Belgium U15	1	(0)
2018–2019	Belgium U16	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:24, 4 October 2024 (UTC)

Ilay Camara (born 18 January 2003) is a Belgian footballer who plays as a full back or winger for Standard Liège.

Club career

Born in Bonheiden in Antwerp Province and of Senegalese origin, Camara began playing as a youth for KSC Keerbergen [nl] before joining OH Leuven. In 2019, he joined R.S.C. Anderlecht.[1] In February 2023, while playing for the reserve team of Les Mauves in the third-tier Belgian National Division 1, the 20-year-old signed his first professional contract, lasting until June 2025.[2]

On 6 September 2023, Camara joined Belgian Pro League side R.W.D. Molenbeek on a three-year deal in a free transfer. He arrived to cover the injury of Sambu Mansoni.[3] He played 28 games, scoring three goals and assisting five, as his team were relegated;[4] on 26 November he was sent off in a 2–1 loss on his return to Anderlecht.[5]

In June 2024, Camara was linked with a transfer to three clubs of the EFL Championship – Coventry City, Preston North End and Burnley – for a fee of £1.5-2 million. Stade de Reims of the French Ligue 1 were also interested.[6][7] Instead, on 13 August he was loaned to Standard Liège of the Belgian top flight, with the option to purchase.[4] In his first month at the club, he played at left and right full-back positions, being praised for his performances by newspaper La Dernière Heure.[8]

References

1. Delstanches, Christophe (13 September 2024). "Formé à Anderlecht, Ilay Camara veut devenir un pion incontournable au Standard" [Formed at Anderlecht, Ilay Camara wants to become an undisputed part of Standard] (in French). RTBF. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
2. Bourlon, Antoine (24 February 2023). "Premier contrat pro pour un espoir des RSCA Futures" [First pro contract for an RSCA Futures prospect] (in French). WalFoot. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
3. "Ilay Camara, des U23 d'Anderlecht à titulaire avec le RWDM en D1 : " Il doit saisir sa chance "" [Ilay Camara, from Anderlecht U23 to starter with RWDM in First Division: "He must take his chance"] (in French). Sud Info. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
4. "Nouvelle arrivée au Standard de Liège : Ilay Camara débarque en prêt du RWDM" [New arrival at Standard Liège: Ilay Camara arrives on loan from RWDM] (in French). RTBF. Belga. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
5. Janssen, Louis (28 November 2023). "Le RWDM demande que Camara, exclu contre Anderlecht, ne soit pas suspendu : "Ça ouvrirait la porte à toutes les dérives", explique Boucaut" [RWDM ask that Camara, sent off against Anderlecht, not be suspended: "It would open the door to all sorts of precedents", explains Boucaut]. La Dernière Heure (in French). Retrieved 4 October 2024.
6. Jones, Jordan (20 June 2024). "Burnley reportedly join Preston North End and Coventry City in £1.5m transfer chase". Lancashire Evening Post. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
7. Turner, Andy (28 June 2024). "Sell, marry, avoid - Coventry City's transfer priorities amid Joe Worrall and Ilay Camara links". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
8. Sterpigny, Sébastien (13 September 2024). "Ilay Camara s'est rapidement fait une place au Standard : "Je veux réaliser de grandes choses au Standard"" [Ilay Camara is quickly making a place for himself at Standard: "I want to perform great things at Standard"]. La Dernière Heure (in French). Retrieved 4 October 2024.

External links

• Ilay Camara at Soccerway