Quite a few Gambian players were in the spotlight of transfer news this summer. The Nerve Africa Team recalls the biggest moves.
Musa Barrow will try to shine in Saudi Arabia
The Nerve Africa were first to report that Gambian sensation Musa Barrow has signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Taawoun FC on a €6 million deal from Italian side Bologna FC. The move was widely reported in the media including because the player changed his agent prior to the move. In the end Gambian striker moved to Saudi Pro League after three successful seasons in Italy.
Colley joined Swiss giants Young boys on loan
Ebrima Colley moved to Swiss BSC Young Boys on a loan deal with an option to buy from his Italian club Atalanta and will try to prove himself best in the Champions league. Colley will team up with his national teammate Saidy Janko in the same club. The duo will compete in the biggest European club tournament afterYB have been drawn against Manchester City, RB Leipzig, and Red Star in Group G.
The Yellow Submarines hope to trigger the buy option for the player in the summer of 2024, and in doing so, the club have to pay for at least his estimated by Transfermarkt market value of €3 million.
Gambian youngster moves to Estonia
Alieu Gibba, 19, signed a short-term contract with the Paide-based club Paide Linnameeskond and will try to make a step up in his career. Alieu was a key part of the Real de Banjul squad that was crowned champions of the 2022/23 Gambia First Division League in June ending a nine-year wait since they last won the title in 2014.
The young star is also a member of of the Gambia U20 squad that finished as runners-up in the U20 AFCON tournament in Egypt in 2023 before participating in the World Cup in Argentina
Bakary Jawara signs with Slovakian FK Pohronie
Another Gambia U20 player will try himself in a European league. Defender Bakary Jawara moved to Slovakian side FK Pohronie on a year loan from Gambian first-tier club Fortune Football Club.
Jawara has some additional senior club experience playing in the CAF Champions League qualifiers in 2022 after winning the 2021/22 Gambia League Division title with Fortune FC.
Bakary, who has no market value at the time of this report is the 13th player from the Gambia U20 to sign a professional contract outside of the tiny West African country.
Modou Barrow joins Sivasspor on a two-year deal
A rare move not to, but from the Saudi Pro League: left-winger Modou Barrow, 30, has signed for Turkish Süper Liga side Sivasspor as a free agent after terminating his contract with Saudi club Al-Ahli FC. The Nerve Africa were the first to confirm the transfer. The former Swansea FC, Nottingham Forest, Jeonbuk FC, and Leeds United forward has a market value of 1.20 million euros
Muhammed Sanneh goes on loan in search for game time
Gambian international right-back Muhammed Sanneh, 23, joined Czech second-division side FC Sellier & Bellot Vlašim on loan from Fortuna Liga club FC Banik Ostrava. In search of more game time, Sanneh will team up with his country’s youth player Ebrima Singhateh at Vlašim until December 2023. The 23-year-old, who has a market value of €225,000 represented the Gambia national team seven times so far.
Buba signs for Bosnian Premier League club
Gambian International Bubacarr Sanneh signed for Bosnian Premier League club FK Zvijezda 09 until 2025 as a free agent after being clubless for almost 12 months. Bubacarr formerly played for Belgian giants Anderlecht where his move from Danish side FC Midtjylland made him the most expensive Gambian player after the €8 million move. He played in the Champions League and Europa League and later represented other Danish clubs AC Horsens and Aarhus and Turkish Gostepe before lately playing for SonderjyskE Fodbol.
