Striker Christopher Jackson has taken a giant step in his soccer career after completing a dream move to Europe.

The 21-year-old ended his time playing in the Liberian league after signing a three-year deal with Belarusian Premier League club, FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk. Jackson completed the move on Saturday, March 3, after spending close to two months in tryouts. He joins FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk on a free transfer from Liberia first division club, LISCR Football Club.

Via their official Facebook page on Tuesday, February 27, the Liberia First Division and FA Cup Champions announced that they had agreed to a deal with FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk to allow Jackson to move despite having three years remaining on his contract. The agreement between both clubs was subject to medical tests and other factors.

Two days after LISCR announced that they had agreed to allow Jackson join FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk, the Belarusians officially announced him as a new member of their squad.

With less than a month to LISCR FC’s crucial match against Al-Hilal of Sudan in the preliminary round of the 2018 CAF Champions League, Jackson departed the club for Belarus to attend trials with FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk. LISCR FC had just concluded their preseason camp in Sierra Leone when their hit-man left in search of greener pasture. It was a difficult decision for the club to let go of their highest goal scorer from the 2016-17 season.

Jackson has praised ISCR FC for giving him the time to develop as a footballer even when it appeared to diminish their chances of success in the CAF Champions League.

“I am truly grateful to LISCR FC for what they have done for me. God first, but the club helped me reach this far,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy thing letting go one of your best players at a crucial stage. It was a difficult decision but [it] was done to help promote my game. I will forever be grateful to club and I promise to do my best out here to make them proud.”

Now, Jackson has succeeded in signing a deal with FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk, the 21-year-old will now be looking forward to grab a place in Marek Zub’s first team when the 2018 Belarusian football league season on Sunday, March 11.  FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk will kick off their 2018 season with a Belarusian FA Cup match against FC Dnepr Mogilev at the Stroitel Stadium Soligorsk.

Featured photo courtesy of FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk