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Robert Bailey, Star Writer
A bright smile tells a lot about former national Under-23 midfielder Akeem Priestley's courage and determination to succeed at the highest level.
Priestley, who is on loan from Harbour View at FK Mughan in the Azerbaijan Premier League competition, says his biggest problems away from home have been adjusting to the climate and food but he has done so.
"I have done this before while I was in college in the United States, so it is very easy for me to adapt to things over there," said Priestley.
The 24-year-old played his college football at Jacksonville University and also at theUniversity of Connecticut in the United States of America. He was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in the 2009 MLS Super Draft at 50th overall, but wasn't offered a contract by the club. According to Priestley, the Azerbaijan season has been a roller-coaster ride for him and his team.
"Things started out well for us but got a bit worse towards the latter part going into the mid-season break, and we are now in the bottom part of the table," he said.
"At first I wasn't starting in the team, but the moment the team started losing, the coach put me into the starting line-up and I have been starting ever since now," said Priestley.
running and tackling
While admitting that he is yet to score a goal in the competition, he has assisted on three of his team's goals in the competition.
"This is a good league because it is very physical. I have to do a lot of running and tackling and the pace is also very fast," he said. The player has also received high praise from his coach.
"The coach (Kamal Alispahic) told me that I am a very good player and he likes coaching me. He calls me Diego Maradona because he says I have the same playing style like him. He also told me that I have a lot of potential to be a world-class player." The appreciation also comes from the FK Mughan supporters.
"The fans love me because they say I bring a different dimension to the team. They love my dribbling skills and the flair that I bring to the team. The coach gives me the freedom to show them what I can do in terms of my dribbling abilities."
Priestley, who is due to return to Azerbaijan next week, noted that he will be focusing on scoring a lot more goals on his return to the competition.
"I am looking forward to improving other aspects of my game and also to ensure that I score some goals and create some more assists for my teammates."
The Reggae Boyz are scheduled to host Canada in a friendly international on January 13, and Priestley said he would love to be invited to play in the match. He last played against Guatemala with the national senior team in 2006. "I would love to represent the seniors because I would bring creativity and pace inside the midfield," he said.
A bright smile tells a lot about former national Under-23 midfielder Akeem Priestley's courage and determination to succeed at the highest level.
Priestley, who is on loan from Harbour View at FK Mughan in the Azerbaijan Premier League competition, says his biggest problems away from home have been adjusting to the climate and food but he has done so.
"I have done this before while I was in college in the United States, so it is very easy for me to adapt to things over there," said Priestley.
The 24-year-old played his college football at Jacksonville University and also at theUniversity of Connecticut in the United States of America. He was drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in the 2009 MLS Super Draft at 50th overall, but wasn't offered a contract by the club. According to Priestley, the Azerbaijan season has been a roller-coaster ride for him and his team.
"Things started out well for us but got a bit worse towards the latter part going into the mid-season break, and we are now in the bottom part of the table," he said.
"At first I wasn't starting in the team, but the moment the team started losing, the coach put me into the starting line-up and I have been starting ever since now," said Priestley.
running and tackling
While admitting that he is yet to score a goal in the competition, he has assisted on three of his team's goals in the competition.
"This is a good league because it is very physical. I have to do a lot of running and tackling and the pace is also very fast," he said. The player has also received high praise from his coach.
"The coach (Kamal Alispahic) told me that I am a very good player and he likes coaching me. He calls me Diego Maradona because he says I have the same playing style like him. He also told me that I have a lot of potential to be a world-class player." The appreciation also comes from the FK Mughan supporters.
"The fans love me because they say I bring a different dimension to the team. They love my dribbling skills and the flair that I bring to the team. The coach gives me the freedom to show them what I can do in terms of my dribbling abilities."
Priestley, who is due to return to Azerbaijan next week, noted that he will be focusing on scoring a lot more goals on his return to the competition.
"I am looking forward to improving other aspects of my game and also to ensure that I score some goals and create some more assists for my teammates."
The Reggae Boyz are scheduled to host Canada in a friendly international on January 13, and Priestley said he would love to be invited to play in the match. He last played against Guatemala with the national senior team in 2006. "I would love to represent the seniors because I would bring creativity and pace inside the midfield," he said.