Wanderers youngster signs for Premiership club

JERSEY Wanderers FC and Star Trophy footballer Kamen Nafkha has signed schoolboy forms for FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.

The 15-year-old Hautlieu School student will travel to the south-coast club most weekend’s next season, where he will join up with St Paul’s and Jersey under-15 team-mate Jake Baker who has also signed a one-year agreement with Pompey.

Nafkha, who is equally at home in midfield or as a striker, said: ‘I’m really looking forward to going to Portsmouth again; I’ve enjoyed two one-week trials there already and next time I go it will be for three weeks for pre-season training.’

Nafkha has played in to Star Trophy matches against Guernsey, drawing 3-3 in Guernsey last year and scoring Jersey’s second goal in a 2-1 win at Springfield last March. He has been chased by several clubs and he can play in midfield or attack.

The teenager added: ‘I’d prefer to play as a striker but if Portsmouth want me to play in midfield then I will play there.’

Jersey Wanderers junior secretary Bob Lawrence said: ‘Kaman signing for a Premiership club is fantastic for Wanderers and the Island. That’s two players who have come through our junior section to sign for professional clubs; the other is James Quérée who is at Bournemouth.

‘Jersey’s under-15s have had a great run in the English Schools’ Football Association’s Inter-Association Trophy this season and that’s where the players have been noticed.

‘It’s not only about what is happening at Wanderers either because there are many excellent coaches working with other junior clubs and of course in the JFA’s Centre of Excellence.

‘Junior football is benefiting from the work being put in and senior football will follow suit in the near future I’m sure.’

While Baker and Nafkha, the son of Sadie Nafkha of Grouville, are committed to Portsmouth, fellow Jersey U15 squad players Marco Zocchi and Charlie Petulla are linked with Bournemouth and Leeds United respectively, the former who has signed to play for Bournemouth’s Centre of Excellence.

Article posted on 10th May, 2008 - 8.49am

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