Gambian international Idirissa Sonko of Roda JC has signed a three and half year contract with Greek first division side Skoda Xanthi FC of the Hellenic Super league.

The move, which has been on the cards for a long time, finally came about last week when the Gambian international was sent to discuss personal terms with the team in Greece.

Idi, whose contract with the Kerkrade club would have ended in three weeks time, took advantage of a situation that was becoming more unbearable.

As he continued to fight for a place in coach Juup Stevens first team.

Idi has been second best to Sekou Cisse and with the signing of Moroccan Adil Ramzi, formerly of Willem of Tilburg and AZ Alkamar.

For the last three months of his stay with Roda, the Gambian international has been confined to the second team from where he Continues to ponder over his future.

A fine and discipline player, would become the second Gambian to play professional Football in the Greek league, the former being Njoku Demba of Panathanaikos.

Speaking to Idi in his hotel room in Xanthi, Idi said he is very happy with the move and looking forward to kick start his campaign on the 7th of January.

“I always knew that I was going to move but I had to wait for the transfer window to open and when the opportunity came, I had to take it at once. I spent a number of years at Kerkrade and its good to move on”.

Asked if he would be able to travel to Saudi for the proposed friendly, Idi said it would be difficult as it is not a FIFA sanction weekend of friend lies’ or internationals, most teams are likely to be on pre-season training camps and the date coincides with the resumption of their campaign.

Idi joined Roda from RSC Anderlecht in 2000 playing a staggering 113 times for the kerkrade club scoring some 20 goals.

Idi will be playing alongside Nigerian born Polish international Emanuel Olisadebe.

Xanthi football club from small town Thrace came about in 1967 through the merger Of Aspida and Orfeas. Both teams where giants in their own rights but progress was difficult to come due to the lack of resources. A merger was proposed to the two teams oscillating between the second and third division of the Greek league and a unified force became the secret that unlocked their path to greatness. Finally in 1989 a promotion was earned to the Greek premier league and since then Xanthi never looked back.

Xanthi FC also becomes the first Greek outfit to shield a major sponsorship deal with car manufacturer Skoda in 1991.

Xanthi also qualified for the Uefa Cup in 2002 and are now fourth in the Greek super league with 19 points.