Former
Steve Biko hitman Ousman Jarju, has
penned a six month contract with the Finnish second tier club, FC KTP,
The Point sport can authoritatively confirm from sources connected to the club.
The 25-year-old striker reportedly caught the
eyes of the FC KTP during a short trial there, and the Finnish club took the
opportunity to hold on to the former Gambia U-17 and U-20 midfielder maestro
Jarjue, nicknamed Raul.
He
has since made his much anticipated debut for KTP in a 1-1 draw away to FC
Kiffen of Helsinki on Monday, May 22, 2017, playing 67 minutes.
This
is Jarjue’s first professional contract since leaving Spanish giants Atletico
Madrid where he signed a two-year deal in 2011.
He
became the first Gambian footballer to have ever moved to the Madrid club, and
the second Gambian to sign in La liga after compatriot and former Gambia U-17
teammate Saihou Gassama signed for Real Zaragoza from the local club, Gambia
Ports Authority.
Jarjue’s
connection with the Spanish giants came during the Presidential football
tournament held in Banjul back in 2011. He impressed the Spanish football
scouts/agents and was able to produce an outstanding performance throughout the
tournament.
The
Spanish club Atletico, through the recommendations of Steve Biko, and the
scouts, wasted no time before they could secure the services of the prolific
midfielder who was linked to several top European clubs in the past.
“I
am happy to sign a contract with Atletico Madrid because the aim of every local
footballer is to play at the professional level and I consider myself lucky to
be part of this success,” Jarjue was quoted as saying in an interview with this
reporter at the Seaview Hotel in Banjul back in 2011.
He said, “moving to Atletico Madrid, one of
the biggest clubs in the world, is the dream of every football player. They are
a massive club with a lot of amazing players.”
Jarju’s move to Atletico was greeted with joy
by the Gambian football fraternity and pundits who followed his progress with
keen interest.
He struggled to hold down a regular first team
place at the Spanish giants and eventually became surplus to requirements
leading to his relegation to the Second Bay league, next to the Spanish second
division in order to find form and shape for the bigger challenge.
Raul started his career with Dahaba FC, at a
very early age and made his first top league football appearance when he signed
for the Gambian division two side Latdior.
He ended his two-year spell with Latdior to
join Steve Biko, who he credited for helping transform his career and make him
one of the deadliest attacking forces the country has known.
He continued to make a positive mark at Biko
which saw him earn a call-up to The Gambia national U-17 team where he formed
an unstoppable partnership with former Saint Etienne goal machine and top
striker Ebrima Bojang.
The former Real de Banjul player Bojang has
had a brief but impressive career as a footballer but was forced to hang up his
boots due to persistent knee and ankle injuries which required surgery.
The
lanky forward Bojang, recently announced his desire to come out of retirement
amidst public outcry from Gambian fans who felt in love with the Bakau-born
star footballer and wanted to see him back in action once again.
Jarju was part of The Gambia U-20 team that
represented the West African nation at the Caf African U-20 Youth Tournament
held in South Africa, in 2011.
