MLS move delights Gambian midfield sensation

Gambian midfield sensation Mustapha Jarjue has admitted his delights at switching allegiance to the Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps from Belgium’s Mons for a reported four-year contract.

The 25-year-old forward, who became professional footballer after he inked a two-year deal with the then Belgian first division side K. Lierse SK from local side Steve Biko in 2006, came to a successful end of his five-year stint in Belgium and is extremely delighted to look for a new challenge elsewhere.

Jarjue first moved to Belgium to sign an undisclosed deal with Lierse SK together with his Gambian compatriot, Assan Jatta, but he has decided to switch allegiance to a new environment following some fantastic spell in the Belgian football marked by some spectacular highs and dramatic lows.

His most outstanding performances in Belgium to date came after heroically guiding Mons back to the top tier Belgian league thanks to his magnificent scoring record of 25 league goals in all competitions for the Belgian outfit last term.

“I am happy to look for a new challenge elsewhere after some great time in Belgium with Lierse and Mons and my focus now is to take my impressive goal-scoring ability to the MLS, Jarjue told Pointsport in an interview at the Seaview Hotel as he looked set to play a part in the Scorpions’ friendly game with DR Congo at the Independence Stadium in Bakau today.

“Leaving Mons was a hard decision for me because the club attempted to keep me for another season, but after all it is football and man has to make tough decisions and move on with one’s career,” he told this reporter yesterday.

“I would like to thank Mons for the great time the players, the fans and the management gave me while I was there but they were also proud of the great time and achievement I have recorded there.”

Jarjue, who captained Gambia senior national team during their 1-nil win over Gabon, made his debut for his new MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps as a starter but his presence could do a little to prevent Whitecaps from conceding a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Premier League big spenders Manchester City in a recent pre-season friendly.

Jarjue appeared twice for Whitecaps in his side’s 2-2 draw with Saint Jose Earthquake, which was followed by a heavy defeat to LA Galaxy last weekend.