Silverbacks Sign Sierra Leone Forward Shaka Bangura

September 30, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


Atlanta, Ga. (September 30, 2014) - The Atlanta Silverbacks announced today the signing of forward Shaka Bangura. The Sierra Leone native, who grew up in Atlanta, most recently played with PS Barito Putera in the Indonesia Super League. He is available for immediate selection.

A cousin of Silverbacks defender Abdul Bangura, Shaka attended North Clayton High School in southwest Atlanta, where he scored 65 goals from his sophomore to senior years. He played club soccer for AFC Lightning for four years, helping the club win the 2003 Atlanta Cup and 2004 Atlanta Memorial Day tournament.

Shaka also attended and played at Montreat College in North Carolina. In four seasons he scored 59 goals and added 31 assists. He was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and then was twice recognized as the conference's Player of the Year.

In between college years, he played for NPSL side Atlanta FC before turning professional in 2010 with the Puerto Rico Islanders. He moved to the Richmond Kickers in 2011, scoring eight goals and adding eight assists.

In 2012 he signed with Cyprus club Anagennisi Deryneia. He scored once and added four assists in his only year in the Cypriot First Division. The following year he moved to the Thai Premier League where he scored 12 goals in all competitions for Samut Songkhram FC.

After training with the Silverbacks in the spring of 2014, the 28-year-old signed with PS Barito Putera in the Indonesia Super League. He scored four goals and added four assists for Barito before returning State-side in late summer.

Bagura traveled with the Silverbacks to Canada ahead of Wednesday's match against the Ottawa Fury. His first professional match in his hometown of Atlanta will be on October 11 when the Silverbacks host the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.



North American Soccer League Stories from September 30, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central