Abdulai Juma Bah (born 11 April 2006) is a Sierra Leonean footballer who plays as a centre-back for Spanish club Real Valladolid Promesas, on loan from AIK Freetong.

Juma Bah
Personal information
Full name Abdulai Juma Bah
Date of birth (2006-04-11) 11 April 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Freetown, Sierra Leone
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Valladolid B
(on loan from AIK Freetong)
Number 31
Youth career
Freetown Giant Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– AIK Freetong
2022–2024Freetonians SLIFA (loan)
2024–Valladolid B (loan) 1 (0)
2024–Valladolid (loan) 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 October 2024

Early life

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Born in Freetown, Bah helped his parents in their bakery during his youth while playing in the streets. Spotted by agent Chernor Musa Jalloh while playing for Giant Freetown Academy, he was signed by AIK Freetong in April 2021.[1][2]

Club career

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In 2022, Bah was loaned to Sierra Leone National Premier League side Freetonians SLIFA, and spent two years playing for the club. On 26 August 2024, after being spotted by Real Valladolid scout Pachu Martínez,[1] he joined the club on a one-year loan deal, being initially assigned to the reserves in Segunda Federación.[3]

After playing one match with the B-side, Bah made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 21 September 2024, starting in a 0–0 home draw against Real Sociedad;[4] he also became the first Sierra Leonean to play in the Spanish top tier in the process.[5]

International career

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On 28 May 2024, Bah was called up to the Sierra Leone national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Djibouti and Burkina Faso.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Juma Bah: el panadero en Sierra Leona que ya encandila en Valladolid" [Juma Bah: the baker in Sierra Leone who is already a hype at Valladolid] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Juma Bah's Family in Joy After Making History". SierraLoaded. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Juma, más juventud para la zaga del Promesas" [Juma, more youth for the defense of Promesas] (in Spanish). Real Valladolid. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  4. ^ "El vertiginoso viaje de Juma" [Juma's dizzying journey] (in Spanish). Real Valladolid. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  5. ^ "New Real Valladolid defender Juma Bah makes La Liga debut". Football Sierra Leone. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. Sierra Leone Football Association.
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