Nicholson dreams big

Former Boys' Town striker, Shamar Nicholson, says he is enjoying his football at NK Domzale in Slovenia's top league but has admitted that it is much tougher than the local Red Stripe Premier League.

He completed his transfer last September but had to wait until early 2018 to make his mark in Slovenia due to surgery on his toe. Nicholson, however, found his best form late in the season and helped his new club to a third place finish in the league behind champions Olimpija and runners-up Maribor. Domzale will play in this year's Europa League qualification rounds.

"The big difference between Jamaica's premier league and Slovenia's top league is that the players in Slovenia work harder on the pitch. We have to track back and sometimes I find myself really tired. In Jamaica you have time to rest," Nicholson told The Gleaner yesterday, two days after his team's last league game which finished in a 1-1 draw against the champions.

"Coaches demand much more in Slovenia. It is a professional set up there, a better environment for football than in Jamaica. We learn to develop properly and the system is very good," he reasoned.

"I did surgery on my toe and that kept me out in the early part of the season. Also the team's second striker was playing well. However, I was getting minutes off the bench," the 21 year-old forward explained.

Nicholson said he hopes he will be able to go on to play in the Europa League, the Champions League and in the FIFA World Cup for his country.

"I have always dreamt of playing in Europe so it's a wonderful feeling to know that I have an opportunity to play in the Europa League play-offs. I am just taking it step by step," he reasoned.

He is also looking forward to one day representing Arsenal, the club he has always supported and is fully aware that Domzale and the English Premier League club could meet in the Europa League group stage.

"Arsenal is the club I supported while growing up and I told my aunt that the day before I came home I had a dream that I signed for Arsenal with the new boss (Unai Emery). It would be a good feeling to play against them," Nicholson said.

The former Boys' Town star also wants to become a regular member of the national team but his sights are now firmly set on his club.

"Right now, the focus is to continue the work at Domzale as I have two years remaining on my contract. I am currently on vacation but will be doing some light work until I return to Slovenia on June 13," Nicholson concluded.

Nicholson at NK Domzale

Appearances -14

Starts - 5

Goals - 5