Keïta joined the club and trained alongside fellow youth starlet Yaya Sanogo, before securing a move to second division outfit Troyes AC.
Upon his arrival at the club during the 2007–08 season, he struggled due to ongoing groin injuries during his first year, which saw him only appear in eight games, scoring one goal in the Championnat National des 16 ans.
[1] On 29 May 2009, with Troyes' relegation to third-tier Championnat National already confirmed, Keïta made his professional debut in a Ligue 2 match against Bastia, appearing as a substitute in the 59th minute for Claudio Beauvue.
[4][5] French football legend Zinedine Zidane personally recommended the player to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Four days later, he earned his first start in a Coupe de France match against amateur club SA Sézanne.