Koroma can’t wait to get going

With manager Dave Hockaday’s summer signings very much completed, his latest recruit is looking forward to helping make Forest Green Rovers a force to be reckoned with next season.

Gambia international striker Omar “OJ” Koroma signed a three year contract at The New Lawn last week to become Rovers’ fourth summer signing. “I’m very much looking forward to it,” Koroma was quoted as saying to the club’s official website.

“I really cannot tell you how much I can’t wait to just start playing football especially with the manager that has been with me for so many years. I just want to repay him for the trust he has had in me and help Forest Green get to the Football League and I know that the fans can’t wait for that to happen.”

Koroma’s addition adds to what promises to be a lethal front line at Rovers next season with seven front men on the books hoping to fire in the goals to help Forest Green towards the Football League.

‘OJ’, as Koroma prefers to be known, is already more than aware of the atmosphere at the club having spent several months training with the first team last season which culminated in him firing two fantastic goals past Crawley Town in the reserves final tie of the season which led them to the Football Combination Southern Division championship.

“It was good to get that game in me because I hadn’t played a game for about two years so it was good to get that reserve game and to get ninety minutes in me as well. I’ve had a long break and a tough few years so I just want to start playing football again because that is all that is important to me.”

OJ Koroma originally began his career with home town club Banjul Hawks, in the GFA First Division, before being picked up as an 18 year old by Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth with a loan spell at then Championship side Norwich City soon to follow, but a serious ankle injury hindered his progress after a bright start.

He has previously worked with Dave Hockaday at both Watford and Southampton as a youngster and it was the link he has with Rovers boss that persuaded him that a long term move to Forest Green would be the ideal next move.

“You always need a manager that trusts you and you need people around you that give you the courage which really helps a lot. Football is a confidence game and if you’ve got someone who trusts you then it makes it easier for you.”

OJ is thoroughly looking forward to kick starting his career again with competition for places in Rovers front line next season looking very healthy. “In every team you need competition in the team. If you don’t have competition in the team then I don’t think people will work to their full potential so I think competition is good in every position to get everyone ticking.”

“Football is just one game really and with the quality that we have got here we’re looking forward to it. I’ve watched Conference football and its decent football and the standard is very good as well.”