Young Gambian midfielder, Wally Fofana, has this week joined KVC Westerlo for an undisclosed fee after the Belgian club agreed a deal with Bakau Katchikally Milan, the Gambian first division side announced.
Fofana, 19, was one of the Gambia’s best players as the Young Scorpions finished third at the TOTAL African Under 20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania in March this year. Following a mesmerizing performance as a second half substitute in the Young Scorpions opening day defeat to Ghana in that tournament, the Tallinding-born midfielder started the rest of the matches and many have credited the team’s improved performance to his silky skill, vision, and his technical ability on and off the ball.
Wally has been likened to one of Gambia’s greatest of all times, Jatta Ceesay, and many Gambians have commented that he would the best thing that could come close to filling in that huge playmaker gap that has been created since the departure of Ceesay from the Scorpion setup. With his performances in Mauritania, many Gambians have contended that it is a matter of when not if he will sign for a club outside the country to begin his professional career.
Now, that dream has come to reality after his Gambian club announced the deal in a statement on its official Facebook page. His career and that of Ceesay took similar roots with the former Wallidan protégé beginning his professional sojourn in neighbouring Holland with Willem II Tilberg.
“We are delighted to announce that Wally Fofana has travelled to Belgium to join KVC WESTERLO after the two clubs reached an agreement for the transfer of player for an undisclosed fee,” the statement by BK Milan began.
“BK Milan would like to thank ace Wally, a player who has demonstrated he is one of the best in his generation and marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and GFF league. Best wishes to Wally and KVC Westerlo,” the statement concludes.
KVC Westerlo plays in the Belgian second division and this wouldn’t be the first time that they’ll have a Gambian amongst their ranks with former Scorpion Momodou ‘Zico’ Ceesay playing for them for two seasons between 2008 and 2010 when the team was plying their trade in the top flight Jupiler Pro League.
Wally, for his part, was very delighted with the move. Positing on his Facebook page at the Banjul International Airport, ahead of his departure last night, the youngster, who lost his father in 2020 thanked his family, relatives, friends, teammates everyone at BK Milan, especially Ousman ‘Cho’ Drammeh for their support.
“Destination KVC Westerlo of Belgium,” the skillful protégé began. “I find it so hard to put words into sentences but what I will say is thank you to all of you as I continue my football career outside of Gambia (Africa). Hard work continues.”
