Queens Park Rangers defender Kealey Adamson may be making a name for himself in English football, but away from the pitch, the Australian prospect is on a personal journey to reconnect with his African heritage.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsBorn in Sydney to a Tanzanian father, Nickson, and an Irish-Australian mother, Shivaun, the 23-year-old has been learning Swahili for the past three years in a bid to strengthen his connection with his paternal family in East Africa.'There is still a lot of work to do' – Gor Mahia coach after 4th consecutive winDespite growing up thousands of kilometres away from Tanzania, Adamson has maintained close ties with his African roots, regularly visiting relatives and embracing the language and culture of his father's homeland.The right-back, who recently earned his maiden call-up to Australia's senior national team, revealed that his desire to communicate with his grandmother and other relatives inspired him to take up Swahili lessons.##NAJAVA_MECA_10066850##"I've had a tutor for the past three years trying to learn Dad's mother tongue so I can communicate with family, like my grandma. It's been a bit of a passion project of mine," Adamson told Football360.For the former Macarthur Bulls defender, learning Swahili has also provided a welcome escape from the demands of professional football, allowing him to explore an important part of his identity beyond the sport.Billions Kenya is likely to splash in hosting Bayern vs Ajax friendly in Nairobi"I think it's a nice thing to do, to step away from football at times. It's one of the only things not football-related which keeps me mentally stimulated," he explained.His connection to East Africa extends beyond language, having previously travelled across Tanzania and Kenya to spend time with family and experience the region's rich cultural heritage.##NAJAVA_MECA_10066857##Adamson recalled a memorable trip with his partner that took them through Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa.The journey came during a five-month break between his spells at Sydney FC and Macarthur Bulls, giving him an opportunity to immerse himself in the region and put his developing Swahili skills to the test.Clifton Miheso leaves return to football door open"My partner and I were invited to a wedding in Mombasa (Kenya) and at the time I was between Sydney FC and Macarthur and had this five months of freedom," he recalled."We visited family in Dar es Salaam (capital of Tanzania), Zanzibar and made a road trip up to Mombasa. It was an amazing journey, and I got the chance to use my broken Swahili!"##NAJAVA_MECA_10066860##Adamson’s African connection also comes with a remarkable family story, with his parents having met in Tanzania under circumstances that eventually led to marriage.His mother, who was working as a teacher at the time, travelled to Tanzania as part of a safari group, where his father was employed as a tour guide.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Gor Mahia's edged compact Homeboyz to maintain flawless start"Dad met them at the bus station and must have been a good host because mum went back again the next year. Before they knew it, they were married," Adamson narrated.While his off-field journey has been centred on reconnecting with his heritage, the defender has also been making significant strides in his professional career.One moment made Kealey Adamson realise just how big the jump from the A-League to England really was 🇦🇺 Fast forward to today and some QPR fans are calling him the best right-back in the Championship. Now, with a Socceroos debut in his sights, the 23-year-old reveals how he turned things around: https://t.co/L2Px8Fis6t— Football360.com.au (@football360au) October 28, 2026 Adamson is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at Queens Park Rangers, having established himself as a regular starter under head coach Julien Stéphan after a challenging debut season in England.Having managed just eight appearances during his first campaign, he has already featured 11 times in the 2026/27 season, including four consecutive starts.##NAJAVA_MECA_10066897##His impressive performances have helped QPR emerge as potential promotion contenders in the Championship, with the London club recently recording a commanding 5-0 victory over Swansea City.The defender's growing influence has also caught the attention of Australia national team coach Tony Popovic, who handed him his maiden senior call-up for September's international fixtures against Brazil.Gor Mahia, Nairobi United duo included in Uganda's AFCON qualifiers squadAlthough he is still waiting to make his Socceroos debut, Adamson believes the experience has strengthened his determination to establish himself at international level."That call-up for the Brazil games was a really awesome experience. I've had a nice spell either side of the international window, and I've been holding my spot, which is really nice."Kone will rightly get the headlines for an outstanding win for QPR but a little shout-out for Kealey Adamson, looks much improved and think QPR have got some player on their hands here. 🦘🪃 #qpr https://t.co/p5pShBu7eK— Championship Terrace Talk (@ChampionshpTalk) October 24, 2026 With Australia preparing for upcoming fixtures against Qatar and Jordan, Adamson will be hoping his impressive club form earns him another opportunity to represent the country of his birth.