The expectations his talent courts is reason for one of Scandinavia’s biggest sides parting with huge sums to capture his signature.
He could be dismissed at first sight as not being football material. All those who did at start of his professional career three years ago have by now learnt, albeit the hard way, that some books aren’t to be judged by the cover.
At Lillestrom -a side now relegated to the second division of Norwegian football -his rapid growth somewhat suffered an ounce of curtailing, a decline fueled by a one-year injury and poor regular game time. His talent though was conspicuous each time he gets onto the pitch.
Scouts at FK Molde, the same club that produced English football great Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now Manchester United’s gaffer, saw the uniqueness he brought to the table.
Work was intense, behind the scenes, to secure him at all costs during the football break caused by the pandemic coronavirus.
So quiet were the negotiations that it shocked most fans when Lillestrom announced they have reached an agreement cashing in on Sheriff to Molde .
Modalities of what was agreed between the sides, fees inclusive, the contract duration aside, was astutely kept under wraps until all finer details were completed.
A look back at how the Gambian kid, dubbed Drogba for his striking resemblance with the Ivorian legend, began his craft shows traces of apparent stride and rigour.
By January 2016, he was not even considered a proper footballer. Fourth months into that term the dynamics changed with offers coming in from teams in Norway ardent on swaying his head. Lillestrom will eventually win the hot race, allowing his quick integration into their youth team but resilience later displayed in subsequent games of the reserves side had him promoted to the A-teamers.
Norway’s youth coaches have taken notice with few glances but Gambia too lurked in the background. The latter ended up calling him up but the fine form of Sulayman Marreh, Ebou Adams and Ebrima Sohna’s evident experience meant viewing proceedings from the fringes. But with this switch, he appears better placed to dislodge the trio off their perch
An injury sustained in his second year at the Yellow and Blacks applied the brakes to his rapid rise.
However, Lillestrom coach’s initiative to extend his deal regardless, exercising circumspection in the process waiting for twelve months later for his full recuperation, tells of the trust his then coach has in his talent.
Molde today are the club tailored out for Sheriff development or rather the combative defensive midfielder believes is the springboard to his breakthrough to the game’s pinnacle.
“I think it is wonderful to be here in Molde, it is Norway’s best team and the best guys playing here. It’s nice to be allowed to come here and join us,” Sheriff said at occasion of his unveiling, having inked the dotted lines committing him to the club for the next three years.
The 23-year-old has been doled out the iconic number five jersey – a telling case of the role he’s expected to play this season.
Sinyan was on the bench this evening during his new club’s 2-2 draw with Kristiansund but was made to wait for his official appearance -watching without playing.
