Jamaican footballer Cristojaye Daley, who has signed a three-year deal with North Macedonia club Rabotnicki, says past experiences have moulded him into a tougher player and one who is more likely to be successful in Europe.

Daley spent last year on loan at FC Koper in Slovenia, and though he displayed flashes of brilliance, was not able to tie down a permanent contract.

“I’m really happy that I was able to earn this move to Rabotnicki, a well-established club in Macedonia. I’ve matured a lot over the past two years and I’m better prepared now to make the necessary impact,” the 20-year-old attacking midfielder said from his base in Europe.

“Everyone at the club has welcomed me and I’m already settled, so now it’s just a matter of being fully focused and working hard as we prepare for the upcoming season,” said the national youth footballer.

Daley, a Daniel Town, Trelawny, native, played schoolboy football at William Knibb Memorial High.

The stylish, predominantly left-footed player came through the Trelawny-based Major League club Holland United before becoming an integral player on loan at former Jamaica Premier League champions Harbour View FC.

Ludlow Bernard, the Harbour View head coach, acknowledged that Daley has matured as a player since his maiden European sojourn.

“I definitely think he would’ve learnt quite a bit from his previous stint and also when he got back to Harbour View. I don’t think he was prepared for that first stint in Europe. But now he has more confidence in his abilities, just more confidence in himself,” he explained.

“He paid attention to the things you need to be successful at that level and it’s not a surprise he got this next opportunity. That’s what talent and hard work can do for you.

I’m really happy, really elated for him because he has come a far away as a player and as an individual,” Bernard told the Jamaica Observer.

Football Coach Dewight Jeremiah, who guided Daley at Holland United and at William Knibb, said it is a “massive move”.

“For Holland United, it is a massive move. It is significant for us that a Major League club can do a transfer to Europe. For us, it matters more than winning a title in the parish because of the significance of it, what it brings in in terms of revenue and also in terms of recognition and just improving the brand and getting the brand out there is massive,” he told the Observer.

“We pride ourselves on moving players vertically. It’s all about developing young talent and going above and beyond to find opportunities for them. Working with Cristojaye from as far back as when he was about 10 years old, it is a real satisfaction. It was just the perfect combination that has caused Cristojaye to make this transition,” Jeremiah said.