Keita Baldé Makes Serie A Comeback with Monza

Senegalese striker Keita Baldé, 29, is set to return to Serie A after a brief stint in Turkey. The former AS Monaco player has signed with Monza for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

Baldé’s career has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to a doping control violation while playing for Cagliari, but was part of Senegal’s victorious Africa Cup of Nations squad that same year.

The forward’s journey began at Lazio before a high-profile move to Monaco in 2017 for a reported €30 million. Despite Monaco’s recent Ligue 1 title, Baldé’s impact was limited during his two seasons there, which included loan spells at Inter Milan and Sampdoria.

Baldé joins Monza at a crucial time, with the club struggling in Serie A. They sit eight points from safety after 24 matches, having scored just 21 goals – the second-lowest in the league. The team’s recent form has been poor, losing 10 of their last 11 games across all competitions.

With 41 goals in 185 Serie A appearances, Baldé is the third-highest scoring African player in the league’s history. Only George Weah (46) and Victor Osimhen (65) have netted more. Monza will be hoping Baldé’s experience and goal-scoring prowess can help turn their season around and avoid relegation.