By Momodou Jarju
Danish football club Odense Boldklub (OB) has signed The Gambia’s teenage defender Yaya Bojang permanently after triggering the buy option clause in his initial loan move from Real de Banjul Football Club.
The 19-year-old Gambian penned a three-year contract which will run until the summer of 2027. The central defender can also play in the defensive midfield role.
“This summer, Yaya Bojang came to the Academy on a six-month loan agreement that expired at the end of the year, but we have now chosen to use the purchase option in the loan agreement, and the Gambian is simultaneously promoted to the striped first-team squad,” the club stated on Tuesday on its website.
OB director of football Björn Wesström said Yaya has all the physical, technical and mental qualities they want in a young OB player.
“He also has a good combination of hard work and a positive and optimistic infectious personality. We are very much looking forward to continuing the collaboration with Yaya and chasing his dreams and the club’s dreams together,” Director Wesström added.
OB also stated that Yaya played 10 games for their U19 boys in the spring.
“I have dreamed of this for a very long time, and now I have finally succeeded in the first step of the journey, so I am really happy that I have now signed a contract with OB, and I am really happy that the club gave me the opportunity. I have been here for almost nine months, so I feel at home in Odense, and I really enjoy being here,” Yaya said.
“I have got used to everyday life here, and I can really focus on football. It’s my job and it requires a lot of dedication and a lot of sacrifice, but I’m ready for that. Now I have taken the first step – that was to sign this contract – but now it all depends on me. I have to work hard. Harder than I’ve ever done before.”
