by Baboucarr Camara
Gambian international Omar Colley’s strong displays for Djurgarden in his first season in the Swedish top flight hasn’t gone unnoticed with reports that France’s Monaco and Ghent of Belgium are among the several European clubs interested in his signature.
The former Real de Banjul and Wallidan defender started 27 of Djurgarden’s 30 league games in 2015 as the Tele2Arena outfit finished sixth on the table. Speaking in an exclusive interview with FotbollDirekt ahead of the new season that will get underway in April, Colley, 23, though admitted that several clubs watched him in action with the hope of signing him but refused to mention those sides.
“There were a few clubs that were interested, but it was between clubs, so I cannot say anything about it. What I can say is that I have two years left on my contract with Djurgarden, and that I am happy at the club, the fans and the players, everyone. I still have time to move on, but I’m happy right now,” Colley told FotbollDirekt.
“They always talk with my agent, he is responsible for everything around that, and Bosse Andersson [Sporting Director of Djurgarden]. They do their job and I do mine on the field. You never know in football. If I [continue to] work hard, it will happen one day, but right now I try to do my best for Djurgarden and get as good season in 2016 as possible.”
Omar is now starting his second season with Djurgarden since he was acquired from Kupio in the Finnish league last year. He described his first season as very good where he played some really good matches and developed into a more mature player. He also described the feeling of moving into a bigger league and making an immediate impact as good.
“I think I have improved a lot in terms of my tackles, but I’m still learning. I think I have adapted myself more and more to the league. This will be my second season and I will try to do the same things as last year, and try to improve even more. No player is perfect, I have to work on the basics and the mistakes I made last season to get better,” he added.
“I’ve been working a lot on my defensive game with the coaches to improve what I lack in the defensive play. I have improved a lot. I’ve had some small problems with injuries, but I’m stronger now than I was last season. I’m happy here. I have only played one season here, and played better than I would have thought that I would do. It was a good step for me.”
Now that the second season is about to start, Colley said it is important to remain focused and do what the coach tells him to do; try to improve on his shortcomings, and help the team to win something. The fans, he said are fantastic and have been there for him since day one, therefore, he has nothing left to give back to them but owe it to them. He reaffirmed his commitment to play for the fans and all the good people around him.
Colley won the African U-17 Championship with The Gambia in 2009 and has since graduated to the Scorpions first team further described himself as an open-minded individual and a leader on the pitch.