- Nationality
Canada- Most Recent Club
- FC Edmonton
- Former Clubs
- HFX Wanderers, Colorado Springs Switchbacks
- Post-Secondary Teams
- Simon Fraser University
- Birthplace
- Montreal, Quebec
Born February 25, 1995, in Montreal, Quebec, Mamadi Camara’s soccer journey spans amateur leagues, collegiate stardom, and professional opportunities across North America. He grew up playing in Quebec’s Premier Ligue de Soccer du Québec (PLSQ) with CS Longueuil, earning a reputation for his creativity and composure on the ball.
In 2015, Mamadi joined Simon Fraser University, the only Canadian program competing in the NCAA, where he quickly emerged as a dynamic attacking midfielder and forward. Over four seasons with the SFU Clan, he tallied 29 goals in 69 appearances, earning multiple GNAC First-Team All-Star selections and, in 2018, the title of GNAC Player of the Year. His performances drew professional attention, and in 2019 he was drafted 46th overall by the San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS SuperDraft, becoming the first PLSQ player ever drafted into Major League Soccer.
Although he didn’t sign with San Jose, Mamadi continued sharpening his game with Calgary Foothills and TSS Rovers in USL League Two and amateur powerhouse Surrey CC, with whom he captured the 2019 Challenge Trophy. Later that year he starred for CS St-Hubert in the PLSQ before taking another leap forward. In December 2019, he announced, “I am very grateful to be a part of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks organization… excited to begin this journey and help the team achieve a successful season.” Mamadi joined the Switchbacks for the 2020 USL Championship season, scoring his first professional goal on September 16, 2020, against El Paso Locomotive.
In 2021, Mamadi returned to Quebec soccer with Celtix du Haut-Richelieu, lighting up the PLSQ with 11 goals in 10 matches. His blistering form caught the eye of HFX Wanderers FC in the Canadian Premier League. HFX head coach Stephen Hart said, “We felt we needed to add another attacking option… Mamadi is a player we’ve been aware of for a number of years. He has been in good form recently and someone we felt could contribute immediately.” Camara rewarded that faith by scoring his first CPL goal on October 3, 2021, against York United.
In 2022, FC Edmonton signed him, reuniting Mamadi with former Switchbacks coach Alan Koch. Koch described him as “an intelligent, hard-working and versatile player… the opportunity is there for Mamadi to show that he can be an impactful player in the league.”
Mamadi’s club journey underscores the opportunities for Canadian talent to grow beyond domestic amateur circuits.