Promising Gambian striker Ebou Sama is on the verge of completing a permanent move to Croatian Premier League side NK Istra 1961 from Gambian club Steve Biko FC, with the deal expected to be officially announced in the coming hours.
The young forward has attracted significant attention following an impressive campaign in the GFF First Division League, where he finished as the second-highest goalscorer during the 2025/26 season with 11 goals. His consistent performances made him one of the standout attacking talents in Gambian domestic football.
Sama’s rapid rise did not go unnoticed beyond the country’s borders. Among the clubs monitoring his progress was English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, where the striker spent the past two months training as part of an assessment of his potential.
Ebou Sama earns trial at Nottingham Forest Academy with chance for signing
Despite interest from several clubs, the Gambian forward has opted to join Istra 1961 in Croatia, a move widely seen as a strategic step that will offer him valuable first-team opportunities at the European level. The decision reflects the player’s desire to gain regular competitive minutes as he continues his development and prepares himself for football at the highest level.
The transfer was facilitated by renowned agent Cherno Samba, who played a key role in securing the agreement between the two clubs.
