Real de Banjul is delighted to announce that reliable defender David Sambou is leaving to sign for Manila Digger FC in the Philippines Football League (top-tier) after eight successful seasons at the club.

The 22-year-old, who has been at the club for eight amazing years, winning five trophies, three times GFF Division One League champion and two Super Cup titles at the club, captained the club many times, he was a great leader, and example to many.

The center-back who has been a key figure and consistent performer for the City Boys under four different coaches will Manila Diggers who play in the Philippines Football League and are preparing to play in the Asian Champions League 2.

David signed for the City Boys in 2018 from Tallinding United and won the Super Cup in his first competitive game under Ebou Jarra, the defender went on to be a pillar in the City Boys’ team afterwards, playing under Legendary Bye Malleh Wadda, Vjatseslav Zahovaiko whom he won his first League Title with before he went on to win two more league titles and a Super Cup under current coach, Ebrima Jatta.

David Sambou leaves a reputable mark as the exemplary figure, and character very respected across the club for his loyalty, consistent performances, and leadership qualities during his eight illustrious seasons with the 15-time GFF Division One Champions.

This is what David had to say after the confirmation of his departure from the club he served for almost a decade with admirable service: “First of all, I would like to thank God for making this move possible. I want to say a big thank you to my family, Real de Banjul Board, the Coaches I played under at the club, my teammates, and our amazing fans for their support and sacrifices, because without these people I wouldn’t have this opportunity. They gave me a lot of support and motivation to achieve what I have today. Sadly, I am leaving, but this is life and things happen for a reason, whatever comes your way you have to take it. Believing in myself is the reason I arrived here today and the support of my colleagues and the people that I have been working with”.

“It is a very difficult feeling because Real de Banjul is my home where I have learned a lot. It is not easy to leave a place where you have lived for so long. The environment, the loved ones that you lived with, the good relationship at the club, working shoulder to shoulder in tough moments to make things right, and a moment like this arrives where you turn your back and leave. So is life. For me, what I always have in mind is; what I see is what I take and Real de Banjul was everything to me, so that is why I took my time at the club with all my life, and made it my mind, that was where I belonged, that is where I was earning a living. So, I had to fight to the death, that is why whenever I see myself in that jersey and colour it means a lot. Sometimes, I don’t forgive myself when I don’t make the team, I always do everything possible to be back in the team”. David said.

David Sambou saw many of his teammates leave to sign professional contracts abroad while he remained at the club but he’s always believed in destiny. ”I think sometimes as a player you have to always ask yourself what is your problem, why them (leaving) and not me? But I always have in mind that we have different destinies and luck. I always tell myself that this is what I have; I have to take it and not look into something that I don’t have. Seeing my teammates go to the other level (signing abroad) and I am still at the club, I always say that all I can do is keep on working because that’s all I’ve got. I love seeing myself playing and working hard. It makes me feel alive. Sometimes I say to myself that if I feel bad or give up in life, how about the people who don’t have the opportunity I have and are still working hard and not giving up? I think that is how we should be thinking as far as life is concerned”.

“You have to keep on working, that is the mentality I have. Trust me, Real de Banjul is a very great family, and when I think of those memories and all the things we have been through I feel like crying. It is hard to leave because I am thinking about what is going to happen here and when we are going to see again. Life is crazy but I hope that we see each other in good moments, good health, and hear good things about each other. I wish that does that I am leaving here can achieve their dreams because the sacrifices that we take are to fight for our living and support our families, friends, and loved ones”.

David spares some advice for his teammates he’s leaving back at the club, saying that; “My advice for the lads, as I keep telling them on and off the pitch is that, in life you just have be you and not somebody else that is the best because if you believe in yourself and not try to be someone else trust me, you will see the best and the rest is up to God to decide what will happen in the future. I believe in them because they are very good listeners and when you give them an instruction they take it and I believe that was the power we have over other clubs we face. We have less experience and with many young players you might underrate, but when the game starts you know that these are not players we can mess with. We worked together, fought together, and that is why walking away from them is hard. I have nothing to say to them but thank them and I wish they all become professional players”. David Sambou said.

Club President, Mr. William Abraham has this to say on David. “I don’t think we will ever have a player like David, in terms of attitude, commitment, hard work, performance during games, and in terms of leadership. David is a special case for the club and to be quite honest it is going to be very tough to replace him. This move is a chance for David that we cannot say no to, we must allow him to go and further his career, develop in life, and make a better living like all other professionals. David has been in the club and during his time the number of players who have left is a lot and he has never complained to us to look for a club for him. We had two minds about David leaving because we are preparing to participate in the CAF Champions League Qualifiers but we have to allow him to go because this chance may never come again. So, we allowed him to go for free and the club is going to do everything possible to make sure that he leaves Gambia fully prepared to go and further his career. Everybody at the club knows that David is unique and we hope that he does well in the future for him, his family, and we hope that we can find his replacement which is going to be a challenge”. Mr. Abraham said.

Second Vice President, Mr. Bakary K. Jammeh refers to David as a club legend when reacting to the defender’s departure. “As a club, we are very happy for David taking the next step in his football journey. David will forever be a Real de Banjul Legend who has given everything to the club for many years. He is a model professional, and we call him Mr. Dependable. He is very respectful and always supportive of the young players. On behalf of the Real de Banjul family, we wish David all the best on his next task and we believe that this is just the beginning of bigger things for him”. Mr. Jammeh said.

Technical Director, Mr. Pa Suwareh Faye is full of praise for David as he talks about the defender’s time at Real de Banjul. “What I will say about David Sambou is, if the young players at the club didn’t learn from David then they’ll never learn again. David has waited for his time. David leads, advises, and always sees the positive side of things. He doesn’t complain, he is a principled man who doesn’t involve himself in a negative agenda. I have liked David for a long time because he’s the type of player who helps a lot. David came as a center-back but has played in different roles in defense. Center-back, right-back, and defensive midfield, and performed well in all those roles. Wherever a coach needs David that’s where he will play. He has sacrificed a lot for the team. There was a moment when David’s brother was getting married but David left the program to come and play for the team, that was a moment when I respected David a lot. This opportunity he gets has been something we have longed to come for him. I believe that he’ll achieve more than this opportunity (signing in the Philippines)”. The Technical Director wishes, adding that, “David was a leader, a motivator, hardworking, a teacher, and whatever problem we have David will be in the forefront to make things right. He made the coaches’ job easy. He is a player who has always been there, even when he’s late or absent you know it is for a genuine reason. David is mentally strong and he has done a lot for the club. I wish him all the best in his football career”. Mr. Faye said.

Head Coach, Ebrima Jatta cut an emotional figure whilst talking about David Sambou’s departure: “It’s difficult to speak, having someone like David Sambou in a club, it isn’t about performance, it is about setting a standard. Players like him lead by example, showing up, putting in the work, and letting their actions speak louder than words. That kind of character brings trust in the locker room and inspires the younger ones”. Ebrima describes David, adding that, “we will miss David immensely for his reliable service over the years that we cannot replace overnight. His departure does not leave a tactical gap but an emotional one too. David was crying when he called to inform me about his departure. The kind of legacy he leaves behind is measured by the respect from his mates, the admiration of fans, and the pride of coaches who watched him grow. The respect I have for the whole technical side of the improvement I have made in the last three years was just amazing. David is just exceptional, he is a legend of the club (Real de Banjul). I have never felt the departure of any player like that of David Sambou”. Ebrima Jatta emotionally said.

Everyone at Real de Banjul wishes David Sambou the very best of luck in his new football chapter and future.