Since the summer of 2023, Gambian players’ involvement in international transfers has increased significantly, with a clear focus on proving that locally developed Gambian talent can excel in any league. The January 2026 transfer window was no different.
A total of 20 Gambian players signed professional contracts abroad, including five academy graduates, one of whom set to complete a record-breaking transfer fee. This trend confirms a growing belief: Gambian football is no longer a hidden market—it is emerging as a serious talent hub within West Africa.
One Talent at a Time
From a Gambian perspective, the just-concluded window along with recent ones shows a clear trajectory. While Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal continue to dominate African exports, The Gambia is not far behind. It is no longer a question of if, but when Gambian players consistently make elite-level moves.
The January 2026 window revolved heavily around Gibril Sosseh, whose transfer further proved the depth and quality of Gambian talent. Sosseh represents the modern Gambian midfielder: strong mentality, physical presence, robustness, and tactical intelligence—qualities required to succeed at the highest level when given the opportunity.
His move to Slavia Prague was not just a personal milestone, but a statement for Gambian football and a validation of the work being done by local clubs such as BST Galaxy.
Sosseh was immediately loaned to Czech First League side Bohemians 1905, a move widely seen as win-win. Competing in the same league as his parent club allows him to adapt, gain exposure, and accumulate experience before returning to Slavia Prague in the summer.
He spent two seasons with BST Galaxy before moving to Sweden after turning 18. Musa Njie, now at Öster IF, also moved abroad after just one season locally. Meanwhile, Amara Camara (Real de Banjul) and Francis Gomez (Sibanor United) continue to train regularly with Kalmar FF and AC Horsens while awaiting their 18th birthdays.
Sweden: A Reopened Market
After the eras of Pa Dembo Touray and Aziz Corr, the Swedish market was largely dormant for Gambian players. That changed in 2025. While Sweden still trails traditional West African exporters like Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria in volume, the upward trend is unmistakable.
Over the past 12 months, Swedish clubs including AIK, Kalmar FF, Öster, Hammarby, and Djurgården have all visited The Gambia, facilitated by agent Modou Lamin Beyai. Östersund are also expected to host a Gambian player on trial later this year.
Six of the eight Gambian players currently in Sweden came directly from the Gambian First Division:
- Abdoulie Tamba – IFK Norrköping
- Musa Njie – Öster IF
- Suwaibou Kebbeh – Hammarby
- Modou Lamin Fofana – Nordic United
Pending arrivals include:
- Nfansu Dibba (Hart FC) – Kalmar FF
- Ibrahim Diallo (Gambia Dutch Lions) – Ljungskile
Estonia: The Stepping Stone
Estonia remains The Gambia’s most reliable stepping stone into European football. Real de Banjul have mastered this pathway, with Momodou Jobarteh becoming the 14th player to move from the club to Paide Linnameeskond.
Of the previous 13:
- Seven moved on to clubs outside Estonia
- Assan Corr and Muhammed Susso spent only 9 and 14 months respectively before earning moves to Slovakia and the Czech Republic
There has hardly been a transfer window without a Gambian joining Paide, but January 2026 showed expansion beyond one club:
- PA Modou Sohna (BST Galaxy) – Paide Linnameeskond (2-year deal)
A notable success story is Abdoulie Ceesay, who progressed through Estonia and now plays in the Bundesliga.
Speaking on Muhammed Hydara’s loan move to Estonia via Footy-Africa, agent Modou Lamin Beyai said:
“The Estonian league is now very respectable and closely followed by clubs around Europe. We are already seeing strong results from our ongoing projects there. Just recently, a player in the same league secured a €1 million move to AS Saint-Étienne.”
Turkey: Opportunity and Trust
Ous Colley became the first Gambian to meaningfully explore the Turkish market when his prodigious talent Alieu Cham impressed the board and technical staff of Istanbulspor. Cham went on to sign a three-year contract and successfully broke into the senior team.
That breakthrough opened further doors. Futty Danso and his partners facilitated Saikouba Jarjue’s move to Samsunspor, before Ebrima Sohna secured a transfer for Abdoulie Njie to Istanbul Başakşehir FK, a club that featured FALCONS left centre-back Albert Gomez.
Colley returned to the Turkish market once again, concluding four-and-a-half-year contracts for both his captain and vice-captain: Elvin Mendy (CB) and Yorro Savage (CAM).
The Turkish league already boasts Gambian internationals Ali Sowe, Ebrima Ceesay, and Karamba Gassama, who continue to lead and inspire the growing number of young Gambians plying their trade in Turkey.
Why Turkey?
Answering that question, MMK Football Academy CEO and President Ous Colley explained:
“Many young, talented Gambian players are moving to Turkey because it is a competitive league that gives opportunities to young players to showcase their talent. That is a big advantage.”
Speaking specifically about Elvin Mendy and Yorro Savage, Colley added:
“These two players are destined for the global stage. They are well equipped—mentally tough, hardworking, technically strong, and very comfortable on the ball. They bring structure to the game, elegance in movement, intensity in duels, and intelligence in transition. Their style will thrive in this league, and they will bring passion and energy because they are ready for high-level football.”
The Predicted Moves
Fans are always thrilled by the signing of the season, and Portsmouth supporters (Pompey) certainly feel they have found their man. Adams brings energy, experience, and leadership—qualities that have already made an impact.
During his time at Derby County, Adams captained the side in most of his appearances, representing the club 89 times and scoring eight goals. The anticipation that greeted his arrival at Fratton Park has quickly turned into admiration. Adams has already begun to carve his name into Portsmouth folklore, scoring back-to-back goals, including one in a derby victory against West Bromwich Albion. While it is still early days, his presence alone strengthens Portsmouth’s chances of retaining their status.
Adama Sidibeh represents one of Gambian football’s most compelling success stories—built on resilience, persistence, and hard work. His journey from non-league Warrington Rylands to professional football is a testament to that determination.
Sidibeh left St Johnstone after scoring 14 goals in 65 league appearances and joined League One side Stockport County for an undisclosed fee.
Speaking to the club website, Stockport manager Dave Challinor said:
“He’s a real hard worker who provides real intensity in his pressing and really wants to threaten defenders both in and out of possession.”
In 2025, Sidibeh scored six goals for the senior Scorpions, more than any other Gambian player that year.
Baboucarr Faal’s form made a winter move almost inevitable. After scoring seven goals in 16 matches for Rukh Lviv, whom he joined for just €50,000, Faal is reportedly set to complete a transfer valued between €1.5 million and €2 million to Karpaty Lviv.
His rise underlines not only his individual progress but also the growing market value of Gambian talent across Europe.
The Final Dance
Yusupha Njie has played just 52 matches since leaving Boavista FC for Qatar-based Al Markhiya, a move that was followed by loan spells at Santos, Farense, and now a permanent return to Qatar with Al Wakrah. At 31 years old, Njie is back in the Qatar Elite League.
Many observers would assume that if the move were purely financial, destinations such as Turkey or Saudi Arabia might have been more logical before a return to Qatar. This makes that first transfer one of the more bizarre moves of recent times. From a footballing perspective, it remains difficult to reconcile Njie’s decision to leave Europe at his peak. At just 28 years old, he scored 13 goals in 27 appearances in Portugal—form that suggested he still had much to offer at a higher competitive level.
At 27, Muhammed Badamoesi’s move to Latvian champions Riga FC marks his seventh club since turning professional. His career has been marked by inconsistency in front of goal, with only one truly prolific spell—his debut season at Čukarički in Serbia, where he scored 13 goals.
In Belgium, Badamoesi managed just one goal despite stints at Standard Liège and Kortrijk, while his closest return to that Serbian form came in Saudi Arabia, where he scored six goals for Abha. Riga will rely heavily on his experience as they aim to defend their league title, and this move could prove decisive not only for the club but for Badamoesi’s own career trajectory.
That said, it is fair to conclude that the development and consistency once expected from Badamoesi have yet to fully materialise.
North Africa: A Difficult Terrain
Only Ameth Ndaw currently competes at a high level in North Africa with Stade Tunisien. Gambian players have historically struggled in the region, with examples including:
- Gibril Sillah (Raja Casablanca, ES Sétif)
- Kebba Sowe (Étoile du Sahel)
- Muhammed Sawaneh (ZED FC)
- Omar Faye (MAT Tetouan)
- Lamin Jallow (CR Belouizdad)
This raises concerns about young prospects such as Bubacarr Susso, whose development may suffer if rushed into a league where Gambian success has been limited.
Club Impact and Economic Reality
Fortune FC and Team Rhino both enjoyed successful involvement in the January transfer window, while Gambia Dutch Lions experienced a particularly busy period—selling four players and awaiting the completion of another move to the Czech Republic.
BST Galaxy, however, continue to operate in a league of their own. Ebrima Gayes’ transfer to Kosovo marked the club’s 19th export since its formation, firmly establishing BST Galaxy as one of the country’s leading talent producers. Whether the transfer fees are big or small, the club has consistently cashed in on the sales of players such as Kalifa Jatta, Muhammed Hydara, and Gibril Sosseh.
These financial returns are crucial for Gambian clubs, many of which operate without direct sponsorship or institutional support. Player exports have now become a true game changer, as rightly observed by Badara Pulloq—an assessment echoed by the Hart FC President, who recently oversaw his first outgoing transfer and is on the verge of completing another.
Football, in particular, has become one of the most significant economic drivers in the country. The financial figures it generates cannot be compared with almost any other industry in The Gambia.
Today, Gambian players as young as 16 are signing pre-contract agreements with European clubs, injecting millions into the local economy. In recent years, players have moved for fees as high as €3 million after spending just one year outside the country. A 30% sell-on clause from such a transfer could be transformative for a local Gambian club.
A clear example is Yankuba Minteh, whose current estimated transfer value exceeds €50 million. He was signed by Brighton & Hove Albion for approximately €30 million from Newcastle United, underlining the immense global value of Gambian talent.
The football ecosystem is also one of the largest employers of young people in the country. Beyond direct employment, football acts as a powerful social safety net. Visit any football field in The Gambia and you will find hundreds of young players training daily, driven by the dream of becoming professionals.
Football provides hope—and for many, it offers a pathway that might otherwise not exist.
Speaking with pride, the Hart FC President reflected on the club’s journey and his original vision:
“From the very beginning, my aim was to see these boys excel. When I first started, I never imagined it would go this far. As a teacher, I thought, why not engage these students after school, since they already love football? I always tell my players that where you come from does not matter—what matters is being ready to make a difference.”
He emphasized the sacrifices made to protect the players and the project:
“I stood by my players. I was offered everything just to sell the team and change my life, but I refused. If there was ever going to be a life-changing moment, it had to be for all of us. We have raw talent here—players who, without Hart FC, would never be given a platform to express their skills. Here, we give every talented player the opportunity so the international football world can see them.”
Looking ahead, he confirmed that the club’s recent success will be reinvested:
“We are going to invest the profits back into the team. The burden I carried for years will finally be lifted. I can now do something for my family, which I couldn’t before, because every single dalasi went into the club. I have been the sole sponsor, spending close to D300,000 to D400,000 every year.”
Players Who Signed Directly from the Gambian League
Swaibou Kebbeh Sweden Hammarby
Ibrahim Diallo Sweden Ljungskile
Momodou Jobarteh Estonia Paide
Pa Modou Sohna Estonia Paide
Mustapha Ndow Estonia Tartu JK Welco.
Abdoulie Njie Istanbul Baskeshir
Yorro Savage Turkey Istanbulspor
Elvin Mendy Turkey Istanbulspor
Dawda Darboe Slovakia FC ViOn Zlate Moravce
Ali Ousaye Slovakia FC ViOn Zlate Moravce
Ebrima Gaye Kosovo Ballkani
Anthony Gomez Saudi Arabia Al Zulfi Club
Amath Diallo Saudi Arabia Ansar
Sulayman Jawla Saudi Arabia Al Diriyah
Haruna Touray UAE Forte Virtus FC
Gibril Sima UAE Forte Virtus FC
Youkasseh Sanyang UAE Forte Virtus FC
Malang Jatta UAE Forte Virtus FC
Gaira Joof Oman Al Rustaq Fc
Mustapha Jallow Philipiness Manila Diggers FC
Assan Badjie Philipiness Manila Diggers FC
Foreign based players
Musa Jatta Sweden Öster
Karamba Gassama Turkey Gaziantep FK
GIBRIL SOSSEH Czech Repulic Slavia Prague
Gibril Sillah Libya Al Haly Benzagi
Buba Jammeh Tanzania Yanga
Adama Sidibeh England Stockport County
Muhammed Badamoesi Latvia Riga
Muhammed Hydra Lativa FS Jelgava loan to JK Tammeka
Ebou Adams England Portsmouth
Jackob Mendy England Peterborough United
Kalifa Jatta Finland AC Oulu
Susso Bamba Slovenia NK Aluminij
Yusupha Njie Qatar Al Wakrah SC
Bakary Touray Saudi Arabia Al Arabi
The January 2026 window confirmed a crucial shift: European clubs are now signing Gambian players directly from the domestic league, not just academies abroad. This trend strengthens local competitions, rewards grassroots investment, and validates Gambian football’s development model.
With over 21 players currently on trial, the upcoming summer window promises to be explosive. Gambian football has arrived—and it is only getting started.
