Gambian forward Saikou Chorr has officially signed a three-year permanent contract with Ukrainian Premier League outfit FC LNZ Cherkasy, completing a transfer from Banjul United Football Club, Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm.
The 20-year-old arrives in Ukraine after a standout season in the Gambian domestic league, where he finished as the top scorer for the Banjul-based side in the 2024/25 campaign.
In his first words after the announcement, Chorr expressed pride and excitement about his move to Europe.
“Wow, I feel so happy because my football have reach to another level — that was the target I was looking for since I was young,” he said in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa. “I am training both day and night for me to see myself into bigger clubs.”
The move is a significant milestone for Chorr, who has long harboured dreams of playing at a higher level. His transition to Ukrainian football reflects not only his ambition, but also a growing trend of West African talents seeking development pathways through Eastern European leagues.
Chorr’s agent, Andrii Krupenko, shed more light on the transfer process and the player’s journey to LNZ.
“Well, the move was finished more than a month ago — we just announced it when all visa issues were solved, and he got his Ukrainian visa ready,” Krupenko explained.
Initially, Chorr had trialed with Ukrainian club Veres Rivne, but the opportunity did not materialise into a contract.
“At the end of the day, he got no chance there, and we found LNZ. He is a great profile, a different type of player than we usually have here, so this could be crucial,” he added.
While Chorr will begin his journey with LNZ’s U-19 team, there are expectations for a swift progression.
“In LNZ we go step by step. He starts with the U-19 team, but he will be monitored by the coaches from the senior team,” said Krupenko.
“Everything depends on Saikou — his working attitude and mentality. From our side, he gets all the support he needs to focus on football,” the agent noted.
FC LNZ Cherkasy, a club steadily building its presence in the Ukrainian top flight, will be hoping that Chorr’s pace, eye for goal, and hunger to succeed can help bolster their attacking options in the near future.
As Chorr takes his first steps in European football, all eyes will be on how quickly the promising forward can adapt to a new environment and prove his potential on a bigger stage.
