Habib Keita leaves Kocaelispor and enters free agency

Mali and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Habib Keita has left Kocaelispor and become a free agent, ending his time with the Turkish Super Lig club.

The 24-year-old central midfielder’s departure was completed on 5 September 2026, with no fee recorded for the move. Keita had begun the 2026-27 season at Kocaelispor but made no appearances in the club’s three possible Super Lig matches before leaving.

Keita joined Kocaelispor permanently from Clermont Foot on 1 July 2026 for €700,000. The move followed a loan spell with the Turkish club during the 2025-26 season, when he was temporarily transferred from Clermont.

His return to Clermont was formally recorded at the end of that loan campaign before Kocaelispor completed a permanent transfer for the midfielder during the summer. Keita’s latest change of status means he is no longer registered with either club.

Born in Bamako, Keita began his senior career with JMG Bamako before moving to Olympique Lyon’s reserve side in October 2020. He subsequently joined Lyon’s first team and spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Belgian club KV Kortrijk.

Keita moved from Lyon to Clermont Foot in July 2023 for €1.2m. The French club later sent him to Kocaelispor on loan, a spell that led to his permanent move to Turkey.

The left-footed midfielder, who is 1.82m tall, now enters the next stage of his career without a club. Habib Keita’s move away from Kocaelispor was completed on 5 September 2026.