Lama most notably played in the French Division 1 for Lille, Metz, Brest, Lens, Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes, and in the Premier League for West Ham United.

[5] Lama left Guiana in 1981 to come to metropolitan France, without his father's consent but determined to become a professional footballer,[6] where he was first signed by Division 1 club Lille.

From then on, Lama played regularly, and even scored a goal (a penalty kick during the 8–0 win over Laval on 31 May 1989),[7] but was never the indisputable number 1 keeper he aspired to be, and so he decided to leave.

During the winter transfer window and only six months away from the World Cup, he finally agreed on a short-term contract with Premier League club West Ham.

[10] His performances were good enough to interest West Ham in making him a permanent signing, but they were unable to retain the player after the World Cup and he re-signed with Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite a more than decent 1999–00 season, he was notified that, due to Paris' youth policy, his services were no longer needed, and that Lionel Letizi would replace him as the club's first choice goalkeeper.