AYV International Sports News, May 18, 2021
Amb.Navo Jr, Khalifa Jabbie&Junior Parade Koroma
East End Lions Football Club (EE Lions FC) has signed United Kingdom (UK) based Sierra Leonean International Midfielder, Khalifa Jabbieon a short-term deal.
The new development came amidst the 28-year-old Midfielder’s successful international football career in Europe and across the world.The deal with the player has been signed in London after intensive negotiations with the Club.
Chairman of EE Lions, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr travelled to London to complete the deal with Jabbie for a record breaking amount (undisclosed).
Many Clubs had offered the player a new deal but were unwilling to match what the EE Lions Club had on the table.
“Jabbie is an international player with a good track record on the pitch and we believe he is a player that can really make a huge difference for us and change the game,” said EE Lions Chairman Ambassador Navo Jr.
Khalifa Jabbie Pose with EE Lions Jersey
He added: “We are very determined to defend our title as the Champions of the Sierra Leone Premier League. Jabbie is joining the squad to strengthen the attacking midfielder and the central positions.While many home-based players are seeking opportunities to travel abroad and play for international clubs, Jabbie has accepted our offer to return home and contribute to nation building. He has a lot of fantastic attributes, great personality as a person and as a football player and so we are very excited to have him be part of the EE Lions family.”
The Club’s Chairman assured that there are plans to sign in more international players from across the world with a view to promote the Club and give a new face to the game in the country.
Jabbie is a 190m height, fast and technically excellent28-year-old who has shown impressive versatility given his age.
He has proven pedigree in one of the best leagues in Europe. Jabbie plays for the Sierra Leone national side and he is an exciting, dynamic talent. He has made over 25 appearances for the national team Leone Stars and has played in Norway, Turkey and Lebanonamong other countries; and more recently for the Cheshunt Football Club in England.
Previously, Jabbie had played for Mighty Blackpool FC and FC Kallon in Sierra Leone. He was the team captain for the Sierra Leone Under-20 Team and helped the Team to win the Africa Youth Championship back then.
The former Sierra Leonean international player and former player of EE Lions Junior Parade Koroma who now serves as an international agent for the Club had this to say about Jabbie: “Jabbie is a player that will give EE Lions a lot of options. He can play in different positions and will be very formidable in the attacking central midfield.
Junior Parade went on to say: “Jabbie has the experience of everything in international football but still has the ambition to return to his home country Sierra Leone and contribute to bringing the Club where it belongs and help promote the game in Sierra Leone.
According to him, Jabbie has a lot of opportunities and offers to continue to play international football but instead has chosen to return home and contribute to the game there.
He encouraged the country’s international players to emulate Jabbie’s good example and be inspired to come home to Sierra Leone and play. Junior Parade stated: “I’m really impressed with all the talks I have had with Jabbie and how much he wanted to return home and play for EE Lions.”
Khalifa Jabbie said: “My move to Sierra Leone is the start of both a new challenge and new opportunity for me. I am grateful to the leadership of EE Lions for the opportunity presented to return home and play. I am very impressed with EE Lions and I have been looking forward to joining the Team.”
Speaking to AYV International Sport from London, Jabbie said he was “excited about the EE Lions project and grateful to the management team of the Club for all its efforts, trust in him and the mutual respect and understanding.
He went on to say: “I am making a huge sacrifice, leaving behind many international football opportunities amidst the negative perception about returning home to play. The hardwork starts here for me and I am looking forward to playing for EE Lions and working with other players in the Club in the years to come.”
Jabbie is expected to arrive in Sierra Leone this week, and he will immediately join the squad in the ongoing Sierra Leone Premier League 2021.
The East End Lions Football Club was founded in 1928. It is a professional football club based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Club plays in the national Premier League and has won over 11 league titles with the most recent been the 2019/2020 Sierra Leone Premier league.
The Club has represented the country in regional and continental inter-club competitions and emerging as runner-up in 1996 in the West Africa Football Union Cup.
