Omar Koroma
Encyclopedia
Omar Alieu Koroma is a Gambian footballer. He plays as a striker, but is currently unattached to a club.
in October 2007. He impressed, but was unable to secure a contract due to work permit issues. He also trained with Southampton
but again, could not sign a professional contract with the club.
In July 2008 he was then offered a two week trial with Premier League side Portsmouth
, featuring in some of their pre-season friendlies and impressing enough to be offered a contract. He was eligible for a work permit after recently marrying a British partner.
On 30 July 2008 Championship
side Norwich City
expressed their interest in signing the striker on loan for the 2008–09
season. On 1 August 2008 Norwich announced that they had signed the striker on a season long loan deal.
On 4 August 2008 Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp
confirmed that a two-year contract for Koroma had been completed from Banjul Hawks, and confirmed that the striker would be spending the 2008–09 season at Championship side Norwich City. He made his debut for Norwich on 9 August 2008 as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat at Coventry City
.
In September 2008, Koroma was called up to the Gambia senior squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers against Liberia
and Senegal
, making his international debut as a late substitute for Njogu Demba as the Gambian's ran out 3–0 victors.
In late December 2008, Koroma suffered a serious ankle injury, which necessitated surgery. This took place in January 2009, leaving him a likely recovery period of 10 to 12 weeks. He returned to Portsmouth at the end of January but was released the following summer.
He has most recently been in Denmark trailing for Brondby IF.
Career
Koroma trained with English side WatfordWatford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in October 2007. He impressed, but was unable to secure a contract due to work permit issues. He also trained with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
but again, could not sign a professional contract with the club.
In July 2008 he was then offered a two week trial with Premier League side Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, featuring in some of their pre-season friendlies and impressing enough to be offered a contract. He was eligible for a work permit after recently marrying a British partner.
On 30 July 2008 Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
expressed their interest in signing the striker on loan for the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season. On 1 August 2008 Norwich announced that they had signed the striker on a season long loan deal.
On 4 August 2008 Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
confirmed that a two-year contract for Koroma had been completed from Banjul Hawks, and confirmed that the striker would be spending the 2008–09 season at Championship side Norwich City. He made his debut for Norwich on 9 August 2008 as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat at Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
.
In September 2008, Koroma was called up to the Gambia senior squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualifiers against Liberia
Liberia national football team
The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, is the national team of Liberia and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the country produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, they have never reached the World Cup finals...
and Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
, making his international debut as a late substitute for Njogu Demba as the Gambian's ran out 3–0 victors.
In late December 2008, Koroma suffered a serious ankle injury, which necessitated surgery. This took place in January 2009, leaving him a likely recovery period of 10 to 12 weeks. He returned to Portsmouth at the end of January but was released the following summer.
He has most recently been in Denmark trailing for Brondby IF.