By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh
Momodou Lamin Sonko, a Gambian-Swedish football prospect born in 2005, who has been reportedly attracting interest from top European clubs, scored a hat-trick for Swedish champions BK Hacken in their 4-1 victory over IFK Norrkoping in the Swedish topflight on Sunday.
Sonko is considered one of the most promising young talents in the Swedish Allsvenskan league, having contributed 11 goals this season. He was born to a Swedish mother and a Gambian father.
Despite living in Sweden, Sonko is still eligible to play for The Gambia and the country is vying with his country of birth to secure his spot on the national team.
Several clubs from the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, and Italian Serie A have expressed interest in recruiting him, according to Gamfoot.
His agent, Erkan Saglik, told Gamfoot that if The Gambia wants Sonko to commit to playing for the Scorpions, the Gambia Football Federation or coach Tom Sainfeit has to contact the player.
“If The Gambia wants him to play for them, they need to contact us. So far, no one has contacted me from the national team or the federation, but if they want him, let them show effort and try,” Erikan, also the agent of Modou Barrow, said.
Sweden will want to commit Sonko as soon as possible due to his impressive performance in the Swedish top flight and interest from teams in top European leagues.
The Fatu Network has learned that Ebou Faye, the second vice president of The Gambia Football Federation, has been given the player’s agent’s contact information to try and get Sonko to commit to playing for The Gambia.
The Fatu Network also tried to contact Tom Sainfeit, the head coach of the senior national team, for comment on the possibility of inviting Sonko but he could not be reached.
In the past, The Gambia faced a similar situation with Sweden over Modou Barrow, but the country eventually convinced Barrow to play for The Gambia.
