BY: Media Officer Foday Jatta

Real de Banjul Football Club is pleased to announce that our trio of players in Ebrima Jarju, Bubacarr Tambedou and Ebrima Singhateh have joined Estonian giants Paide Linnameeskond.

Goalkeeper Jarju, wingers Tambedou and Singhateh travelled to the northern European country at the weekend to complete their moves to our partner Club, on a loan plus an option to buy deal.

The trio were scouted by officials of Paide during their recent scouting trip to the Gambia in October 2021 where they spent a week holding training sessions with the team.

They bring the Real de Banjul contingent of players moving to Paide to five, following in the footsteps of striker Alassana Jatta and defender Muhammed Sanneh.

President William Abraham said the transfer of the players signifies the already existing good relationship with Paide and has no doubt the players will continue to hoist the Gambian and Real de Banjul flag higher.

“I am happy that we could turn the dreams of three more young players of turning professional, become a reality. Goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju has been a long-time servant of the club and he’s been instrumental for us for many seasons until he eventually became the club’s captain – his efforts and saves were really and truly instrumental for us and we can’t thank him enough for his services,” Abraham said.

Abraham added: “Tambedou and Singhateh are also two players who’ve contributed in where we are today in different ways, they’re young players, just like Jarju, who are ready to listen and learn and I have no doubt that they’ll all be successful with Paide Linnameeskond.”

Paide’s Sports Director Gert Kams said the partnership between both clubs is what is yielding fruits right now and believes the trios addition will be immense for his club.

“The collaboration between the Paide and Real de Banjul actually started years ago when both Alassana Jatta and Muhammed Sanneh joined our club. The ambition and development of these players gave us a clear idea that the young players in the Gambia are hardworking, able to learn quickly and want to succeed in football and that was why after a successful meeting between the clubs in June 2021, we signed a long-term cooperation agreement that provides for the development and preparation of young players for professional careers on European football pitches,” Kams said.

He added: “In October, we visited the Gambia with a larger delegation and with the clear aim of understanding how the process on the ground works and what our vision would be for raising it further. During the week we were there, we monitored the training process and identified the players, performing various physical and technical tests. Thanks to these tests and trainings, we got a good overview of the local level and the abilities of the young players. Analysing the players and our needs, we selected these profiles that are most interesting to us today.”

For their parts, the trio all thanked the entire management of Real de Banjul, staff and their teammates for contributing to the success of their careers.

Twenty-three year-old goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju said: “I’ll like to thank the management of Real de Banjul for the opportunity. I leave a top team to come to another top, well structured and competitive team as well that’s ambitious and I’m ready to work to help the club achieve its goals. I leave Real with my head held up high and I’m proud of all what we’ve achieved together.”

The skipper added: “It’s true I’m leaving the club as a player but my heart is staying with the team as a supporter and I’ll be a huge fan now with keen interest and I hope my teammates continue the fight we started to achieve the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season. I’ll advise them to keep focus and continue to do their best for the Real de Banjul jersey!”

Nineteen year-old winger Bubacarr Tambedou also said: “It is a dream come true becoming a professional footballer and I’m grateful to Real de Banjul for the opportunity. I’m now looking forward to making history with Paide!”

Eighteen year-old winger Ebrima Singhateh said: “I am very happy for this opportunity and I thank Real de Banjul for making my dream come true.”

Everyone at Real de Banjul congratulates Ebrima Jarju, Bubacarr Tambedou and Ebrima Singhateh on their professional contracts and we send our best wishes to them as they begin life as professional football players.