Swedish third-tier side Vasalunds IF has completed the signing of Saibo Saidy, a promising Gambian full-back, on a four-year permanent deal from Bombada FC, Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm.
The move marks a pivotal step in Saidy’s young career—a journey that began not with fanfare or fame, but in the humble fields of rural Gambia.
Saidy, a Gambia U23 international and former player for Wagadu FC, spoke with rare candour about the path that led him from a farming village to European football. His story is not only a personal triumph, but a powerful testament to perseverance, faith, and the belief that talent—when met with determination—can defy circumstance.
“It is a dream come true for a poor rural boy whose community gives little or no attention to football,” Saidy shared in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa.
Growing up in a Sarahulleh community where farming is deeply ingrained in the culture, Saidy’s ambitions weren’t widely embraced. His early life was shaped more by agricultural seasons than by football seasons, but even then, a spark had been lit.
“I was doing farming,” he said. “We all know how Sarahulleh communities respect farming and ensure all their children are available for it. But when I started playing in the national leagues, my family allowed me to pursue that career until I arrived here today.”
His breakthrough came through Gambia’s U23 national team, a platform that gave him visibility and, eventually, opportunity.
“Someone once asked me if I could ever wear the national team jersey,” Saidy recalled. “I told him if I am not dead or injured, I will surely wear it. He asked if I believed I could sign professionally, and I told him once I wore that jersey, I’d go pro—not very long after.”
Vasalund IF poised to secure Saibo Saidy on a long-term deal
But the road wasn’t smooth. With no financial backing or formal support system, Saidy had to hustle hard—even for necessities, let alone career resources.
“I was first scouted and was asked if I had a highlight video,” he said. “I didn’t. I had no one to help me, so I paid for it myself.”
His time in the urban areas of the Gambia, where he sought professional football opportunities, was marked by hardship:
“Sometimes, I would wake up, go for training, and return with no breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Just water to stay hydrated. But these are challenges of success. I had to bear it.”
Even more daunting than poverty, however, were the cultural and social obstacles. Saidy explains that aspiring footballers from his background often face scepticism and discouragement—especially when they choose football over more traditional paths.
“From the community I come from, if you are not stubborn, you will not become a professional footballer,” he said frankly. “I have been undermined and belittled by those I asked for support. They would say I was aimless. But I stayed stubborn and prayed to Allah,” he noted.
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Now, at Vasalunds IF, Saidy is rubbing shoulders with footballers he once watched on TV. He shared a surreal moment training alongside Victor Lindelöf, the Swedish international and former Manchester United defender, who was preparing for his move to Aston Villa.
“I told my friend we were training with Lindelöf, and he didn’t believe me—until he saw his face. That tells me I can reach new heights, too. I just need to fight for that,” he added.
Despite achieving a major milestone, Saidy isn’t resting on his laurels. His eyes are set firmly on Europe’s elite leagues.
“My dream is to play in the Bundesliga or Spanish La Liga one day. My target is to work towards that in the next two or three years,” Said concluded.
As Saibo Saidy embarks on this new chapter in Sweden, he carries with him not just the hopes of a rural community, but the blueprint for how grit and self-belief can transform a life. His story is a beacon for other young African talents who may lack resources but not the will to succeed.
For Vasalund IF, this signing could prove to be a master stroke. For Saidy, it’s just the beginning.
