IRISH STRIKER JONATHAN Afolabi has joined Dutch side SC Cambuur on loan for the rest of the season from KV Kortrijk in Belgium. The deal includes an option to buy for the Eerste Divisie club.
The 24-year-old played two seasons with Bohemians and was the League of Ireland Premier Division top scorer in 2023.
He joined KV Kortrijk at the start of 2024, where he has scored one goal in 13 appearances.
Afolabi was under contract with Celtic from 2019-22, where he played for Dundee, Ayr United and Airdrieonians on loan. He has been capped for Ireland up to U21 level.
SC Cambuur are currently 17th in the Dutch second flight.
“We have had Jonathan on our radar for a while, but of course the timing has to be right,” said Technical manager Lars Lambooij, the SC Cambuur technical manager.
“He is a striker with scoring ability, excellent physical condition and an enormous drive. That is the type of striker we were looking for and we are happy that we have found that with Afolabi.”
Was never good enough to play in that division, best of luck to him all the same.
@Mayoforjam:
Bit harsh. Very hard to hit the ground running going to a club who were struggling big time not scoring any goals with the players they already had and that were pretty much relegated already… both parties took a gamble and ot didn’t really pay off and also how can you accurately judge having not seen any of the games.
@robert kelly: based on what I seen from him in the loi I didn’t think he was good enough for the Belgian league, his stats there would lend to that idea. I’ll be sure to watch back his few games though I could be wrong !
@Mayoforjam:
I just think your being unnecessarily harsh on the lad. Not prolific no but nearly a goal every other game in season at Bohs and In fairness the bottom half of the Jupiler league would probably be equivalent to league one or similar and he’s certainly good enough for league one so I don’t buy into what your saying. He actually had offers from league one and in hindsight that’s probably where he should of went but took a gamble and tried something different which is commendable in itself.
@robert kelly: I get your point yes, and I would like to see him do well as I support irish football as a whole but I just don’t think he’s that good. That’s just my opinion, thankfully there are a good few other Irish strikers out there at this time.
League of Ireland is probably his level
Parrott, Obafami, Okoflex, Idah, Afolabi, Ferguson, Connolly, Armstrong, Cannon, Odubeko. So much talent but if we’re very lucky, one of them might become a prolific top flight striker. Absolutely brutal position to succeed in.
@Louis Jacob: none of these lads would be even prolific in the championship. Hopefully we can get a couple good years our of Sammi as he seems to be our best bet as least he done very well last year hopefully his form can transfer into the premiership.
Looking at Idah or Ferguson to partner him up front
Cambuur Jack Byrne s old club. He should score goals in that level. Will he play top flight football in any of the main countries it will be extremely hard