Manchester City’s highly-rated young defender Juma Bah is set for another chapter in his meteoric rise, with OGC Nice securing a loan agreement for the Sierra Leonean. According to reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement has been reached between the Premier League champions and the Ligue 1 outfit. The move will see Bah join Les Aiglons for the upcoming season, as the Riviera club looks to strengthen its squad ahead of a potential UEFA Champions League campaign.
This development marks yet another significant milestone in Bah’s remarkable journey from helping his father in a bakery in Sierra Leone to rubbing shoulders with European football’s elite.
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Nice Overtake Lyon in Pursuit of Bah
OGC Nice successfully edged past Olympique Lyonnais in the race to sign Bah on loan. Lyon had initially been leading the chase, especially given their ongoing negotiations involving Rayan Cherki’s potential €42 million switch to Manchester City. Lyon reportedly hoped to secure Bah’s services as part of that larger deal.
However, Lyon’s attention shifted towards finalizing a contract extension for their current defender Clinton Mata, creating an opening for Nice to take advantage. With Champions League football on the horizon—pending success in the qualification rounds—Nice became a far more appealing destination for the promising centre-back.
Juma Bah’s Meteoric Rise
Bah’s story is one of rapid growth and unrelenting dedication. Just months ago, he was still playing in the domestic leagues of Sierra Leone, on worn-out artificial pitches far removed from the manicured grounds of Europe’s top leagues. His breakthrough came with Real Valladolid, where a series of impressive performances in La Liga put him on the radar of major European clubs.
Manchester City, renowned for their eye for youthful talent, snapped him up in January. Speaking to BBC Sport Africa at the time, Bah expressed his excitement about joining City: “It would be a dream for me to play with these great players at Manchester City,“ Bah said. “I usually play with them on PlayStation. Playing with them in real life will be amazing. I’m looking forward to go there and learn, and to have the best coach in the world. My aim is to win trophies.”
Patience and Growth Under Guardiola’s Watch
Despite the excitement surrounding his signing, Manchester City made it clear that Bah’s development would be gradual. Immediately loaned to RC Lens after his arrival, Bah made an instant impact, contributing to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Marseille in Ligue 1. His adaptation to European football has impressed coaches and scouts alike.
Sierra Leone’s new national team manager Mohamed Kallon, himself a veteran of Inter Milan and Monaco, has been vocal about Bah’s potential: “I knew something big was going to happen and he was just waiting for his opportunity,” Kallon said. “He can succeed in Europe. Manchester City bought him because they see something in him. We can see that he has potential to grow.”
The loan to Nice offers Bah the perfect platform to continue his development while gaining invaluable European experience. Should Nice advance to the Champions League group stage, Bah could find himself facing some of the continent’s elite attackers, accelerating his growth even further.
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FAQs
Who is Juma Bah?
Juma Bah is a 19-year-old Sierra Leonean centre-back currently contracted to Manchester City, known for his rapid rise from domestic football in Sierra Leone to Europe.
Which club has Juma Bah joined on loan?
Bah is set to join French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice on loan for the upcoming season.
Why did Nice win the race for Bah’s signature?
Nice overtook Lyon largely due to their potential UEFA Champions League participation and Lyon’s focus on other transfer priorities.
Did Juma Bah play senior football before joining Manchester City?
Yes, Bah played in La Liga for Real Valladolid before being signed by Manchester City in January.
What are Juma Bah’s long-term goals?
Bah has stated that his dream is to play with Manchester City’s senior squad, learn under Pep Guardiola, and win major trophies.
