Defender Radanfah Abu Bakr is currently on trial with Belgian club Royal Olympic Club de Charleroi, seeking to make a return to the overseas professional circuit following his injury lay off.
The former Joe Public player appeared for Charleroi of the Belgian Third Division in a preseason encounter with First Division side Mons FC on Wednesday and reportedly held his own after starting the match before being taken off on 70 minutes.
English agent Mike Berry is overseeing all arrangements for Abu Bakr and is hopeful of a contract for the player. Berry also previously took Abu Bakr to Swansea City.
“After discussion with Radanfah and his family we decided to take the Belgian option because of the current difficulty with the FIFA ranking of T&T preventing entry into the UK,” Berry told TTFF Media.
“I recommended him to the owner of the club who I know and they are delighted with him so far. I hope we can secure a two-year contract with this progressive club which will allow him to showcase his undoubted ability and gain some invaluable experience in a competitive league and hopefully force his way back into the national set up in due course as he has all the requisites to become a top class defender,” said Berry who is also the agent for Ipswich Town midfielder Carlos Edwards.
He has worked exceptionally hard since breaking his foot and the subsequent complications and deserves this opportunity to re-launch his career,” Berry added.
Abu Bakr was sidelined just over a year after suffering a stress fracture of the 5th metatarsal in his right foot in a Pro League League encounter while playing for Joe Public against Tobago United on May 15th last year at the Dwight Yorke Stadium. Since then he had undergone surgery and rigorous rehab.
“The injury has strengthened my determination and made me more determined to succeed. My hunger, desire & enthusiasm towards the game are now greater than ever,” said the 24-year-old Abu Bakr who has eight international appearances.