DESPITE Reggae Boyz forward Kaheim Dixon dropping down to the fourth tier of English football, his former Coach Xavier Gilbert believes the switch is a significant step forward for both his personal growth and the national team.

On Friday, Dixon departed Championship club Charlton Athletic to join League Two outfit Crawley Town FC for the 2025/2026 season.

The 20-year-old joined then League One side Charlton last August from Jamaica Premier League giants Arnett Gardens on a four-year deal but was unable to make a real breakthrough, making just three substitute appearances in the league without scoring or assisting. He also made two appearances in the EFL trophy, including a start against Leyton Orient, but was subbed off after 59 minutes. Most of his action came in the club’s under-21 team.

The move to Crawley Town is seen by many as a step down for the former Clarendon College standout as the club was relegated from League One last season and have already lost their opening two games of the new League Two season.

However Gilbert, who coached Dixon during his time at Arnett Gardens, believes it will be beneficial for his development, especially as he tries to help Jamaica qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Kaheim Dixon runs during training in California, United States, on June 15, 2025. (Photo: JFF Media)

“I think it’s smart because this is a World Cup Qualification year and if he’s not playing on a regular basis it will be difficult to be called up, so I’m happy he’ll be going somewhere and playing regular minutes,” Gilbert told the Jamaica Observer.

“That’s going to be important, not just for himself as a youngster trying to get a bigger contract but being a major fixture in the national set-up. Hopefully he can go and get quality minutes, and I have no doubt he’ll perform. He’s a hard-working young man — he backs his abilities — and I’m confident he’s going to do well, and hopefully when we picks up that form he can transcend that to the national set-up and Jamaica will benefit, so for me it’s a good move,” he added.

With Charlton’s promotion to Championship, Manager Nathan Jones decided that Dixon, who has two goals in 17 appearances for the Reggae Boyz, was better off at another club gaining more game time.

“Kaheim is a young player with lots of talent, and for his development he needs to be playing senior football and scoring goals,” he said.

“Given the additions we’ve made to the squad this summer, the club stepping up to the Championship and his age, now is the time for Kaheim to go out on loan and play regularly. He goes to a good club, we’ll be following his progress closely, and he’ll come back to us in a good position having had the opportunity to play regular senior football.”

Dixon is currently the only active Reggae Boy to be playing in League Two. He’ll be hoping to make his debut for Crawley on Tuesday against MK Dons.

He’ll also be hoping to be called up by national senior men’s Head Coach Steve McClaren for their final-round Concacaf World Cup Qualifying games next month against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago.

GILBERT… I’m happy he’ll be going somewhere and playing regular minutes (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Kaheim Dixon

Kaheim Dixon smiles for his introductory photo as a Crawley Town FC player on Friday, August 15, 2025.