Former Glentoran star seals Scottish Premiership loan after summer Hearts move
Former Glentoran star MJ Kamson-Kamara has joined Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock on loan from Hearts in a search for senior minutes.
Kamson-Kamara was named in NIFWA’s ‘Team of the Season’ for his performances during a temporary stint at The Oval last term and was also nominated for Young Player of the Year – an award which was won by Fraser Bryden.
The 20-year-old made 23 league appearances for Declan Devine’s side and helped them reach a second consecutive BetMcLean Cup final alongside securing a European return for the first time in three years.
A loan in Northern Ireland’s top-flight from Lincoln City helped Kamson-Kamara earn a four-year contract at Hearts, who finished second in last season’s dramatic Premiership title race to Celtic.
Kamson-Kamara has struggled for opportunities at Tynecastle this season – he hasn’t featured in any of Hearts’ four league matches and was an unused substitute across both legs of a Conference League play-off win over SK Rapid.
He will now join Kilmarnock, who sit bottom of the table having not collected a league point, on loan until January and could be in line to make his debut in Saturday’s trip to Aberdeen.
Kilmarnock highlighted how Kamson-Kamara was “identified by Jamestown Analytics following his impressive performances at Glentoran last season”.
Jamestown Analytics is a football data and analytics firm owned by Tony Bloom, who has helped both Brighton & Hove Albion and Hearts scale their respective pyramids through a statistics-driven approach.
Glentoran explored the potential of turning Kamson-Kamara’s loan deal into a permanent stay – but that was made impossible by the level of interest shown in the young defender.
Kamson-Kamara praised the role played by the Glens in his development and predicted the current squad are capable of delivering silverware success.
"It's been an absolute pleasure to represent this football club and wear the shirt with pride,” Kamson-Kamara posted on Instagram after leaving the club. “I'm grateful to all the players, staff, and most of all, the fans who've supported us through the ups and downs.
"I've learned a lot, made mistakes, but created memories that I'll always treasure.
"I've enjoyed every moment of my loan spell and wish the club all the very best for the future.
"The way the club is moving i have no doubt these players will bring back some silverware that the club and supporters deserve. Thank you Glens.”