‘I just want to play’
Football-starved Ximines looks to rebuild career with JPL
Published:Thursday | September 19, 2024 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
WHEN YOUNG right back Tarick Ximines left the island to take up a contract with Belgian Pro League team Cercle Brugge in January of 2023, many had high expectations.
However, the former Jamaica College star has not enjoyed the success many anticipated he would have had in Europe.
After a year and a half and only one senior team appearance with the former Belgian League champions, Ximines decided to return home to rebuild his career.
Though still on the books of the Belgian club, the 19-year-old Ximines, who played most of his matches with the under-23s, turned out for Portmore United in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) on Sunday.
He disclosed that his main purpose for coming home to play was his need for more game time.
“For me, the aim is just to play right now. I just want to play,” he insisted.
When it became known that the player was in the island and looking to play locally again, many assumed he would have chosen Mount Pleasant, the last club he represented before his departure.
However, he declared that he chose the St Catherine-based club because at Mount Pleasant he was not guaranteed to get the playing time he needed.
“It was a tough decision. But I chose where I can get playing time,” he said.
Portmore went down 2-0 to Mount Pleasant in their opening game, and although Ximines was not at his best in the game, he said he will take the season in stride.
“The aim is to take it one game at a time and take it from there.
“Today (Sunday) we gave Mount Pleasant too much respect. We could have pressed them a bit more.
“My performance was okay. But there is more to build. There are some stuff to work on,” he noted.
Nevertheless, he said, ultimately, the objective while here is to play as much as possible and try to regain his best form before moving back overseas.
“For me, I just want to do good and get where I need to get. So that is my focus. I am looking forward to going back [to Europe]. It’s just to come back here, rebuild and move forward,” he said.