U-20 Ace in England trial

by Nanama Keita

The Gambia Under 20 and Hawks versatile midfielder, Paul Jatta left Banjul on Tuesday for England , where he will undergo trials with the English First Division side, Southampton. Jatta will join at the club, Gambian Omar Krumah, who has since 2006 joined the academy.

“Yes, I am leaving for England today (tuesday). I am going to Southampton where I will join my Gambian brother, Omar Krumah, commonly known as OJ who once played for the Gambia Ports Authority,” elated Jatta told Observer Sports, shortly before his departure.

England is regarded as a no-go-area for Gambian players, owing to permit constraints, but Jatta believes the issue of permit cannot ‘kill his spirit’.

“I am going to the club’s academy so I don’t need a permit to be in the academy. I hope to be at the academy for few years before I will be absorbed at the senior level.”

“This is my first trial and I want to make good use of it, stay and do what took me there,”   said Jatta whose trip is reported to be facilitated by Ambros Mendy, a renowned FIFA Player   agent.

Paul Jatta was part of Gambia Under 20 team that have participated in the FIFA Under 20 World Cup finals, hosted in Canada in July 2007.

Upon his return from Canada , the mesmeric midfielder went one step down and helped The Gambia Under-17 team to clinch a gold medal in a four-nation tournament held in Ivory Coast in August 2007.