Gambian midfielder Dawda Darboe has officially signed for Estonian Premium Liiga side Paide Linnameeskond on a two-year permanent contract, following the expiration of his one-year loan spell with Slovakian club FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce-Vráble.
According to those involved in the deal, there was interest from clubs in Poland and Sweden, but Paide’s project was considered the better option, particularly in terms of playing opportunities and financial conditions.
“He was having issues in Slovakia. We loaned him to Fortune FC on loan from Wallidan. I am always in contact with our players. We spoke to so many agents, but David got him this deal. There was interest in Poland and Sweden but the Estonian one looks better in terms of playing time and salary as well,” the source exclusively told Footy-Africa.
Darboe has now joined the agency of David Moss, which also represents Gambian players Abdoulie Ceesay and Bubacarr Tambedou.
“He signed with David Moss as his agent and he is now represented by the same agency as Abdoulie Ceesay and Bubacarr Tambedou. He has now signed from Wallidan to Paide.”
The transfer also required cooperation between his former clubs. Darboe was initially connected to Wallidan before spending time on loan at Fortune FC.
“He was with Fortune recently, with whom I discussed and agreed to allow him to leave despite our loan agreement with them being for two years. So, to do this early, we collaborated to get this deal done, and it’d benefit all of us tomorrow.”
At Paide, Darboe will join a growing group of Gambian players, including Ebrima Jarju, Pa Modou Sohna, Momodou Jobarteh, Pa Abdou Cham and Abdourahman Badamosi.
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Darboe spent the 2025/26 season on loan at ViOn Zlaté Moravce, featuring for the club’s B team and making nine appearances while scoring twice.
The move to Estonia comes after a difficult period in Slovakia, with his representatives working to find the right environment for the youngster to continue his development.
The move gives the young Gambian another opportunity to establish himself in European football, with Paide expected to provide him with the regular playing time that was difficult to secure during his spell in Slovakia.
