JAMAICA’S Kaheem Parris is beaming after making his Europa League debut for Dynamo Kyiv in their drawn encounter away to AEK Larnaca on Thursday.

The senior Reggae Boyz attacker went on as a 75th-minute substitute with Dynamo Kyiv appearing down and out at 1-3. But the Ukrainian football club notched two late goals as the match in Cyprus ended 3-3.

Though not getting on the score sheet nor laying on an assist, Parris asserted that his introduction provided a fillip for his team.

“I feel like my performance was strong and that I made an impact on the match because when I entered the field we were losing 1-3, and some of my offensive actions directly contributed to our two late goals to earn the 3-3 draw,” the predominantly left-footed player told the Jamaica Observer.

In the dying embers of the match, the tricky winger had the chance to win it for Kyiv but sliced his right-footed effort off target. He said the missed opportunity further drives his motivation to excel at the highest levels.

“To be honest, I do feel a bit disappointed because I know I have the quality to finish that chance, but sometimes you have to have a short memory and just move on. This experience in the Europa League will definitely help to push me forward for the rest of the campaign,” Parris, 22, said.

When he got on the pitch at AEK Arena, Parris joined a select few Jamaican-born Reggae Boyz, including Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner, Leon Bailey and goalkeeper Ryan “Godda” Thompson, who have tasted UEFA club competition.

“For me it’s a big accomplishment… this proves I’m doing a lot of things right so far in my football career and making some history along the way,” he said.

“I feel really proud, because the Europa League is a top-level UEFA competition and it’s very difficult to qualify for the group stages, and as a kid I’ve always dreamt of playing at this level. Hopefully, other young Jamaican players can use my accomplishment as motivation that they too can reach this level with the right approach.”

Parris, who transferred from FC Koper of Slovenia at the start of September, said he has had no major issue acclimating to life in Ukraine despite Russia’s invasion of that country.

“I’ve been in Europe for a few years now, so settling at my new club has been pretty straightforward, especially because everyone at the club has been very helpful to me. Obviously, the situation between Russia and Ukraine creates some challenges, but I’m totally focused on my career and I’m not distracted by anything,” he explained.

Dynamo Kyiv, 16 times the Ukrainian top-flight league champions, have a rich tradition in European football, twice winning the now discontinued UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

Parris, a standout for Dinthill Technical in schoolboy football and at Cavalier FC in Jamaica’s top-tier club league, indicated that Dynamo Kyiv’s lofty achievements are in sync with his ambitions as a player.

“The expectations are great at the club, almost always Dynamo Kyiv are either league champions or runners up, so everyone at the club understands what’s required,” he noted.

Dynamo Kyiv are currently in last place with a single point in their Europa League four-team group, behind Fenerbahce (11), Rennes (11) and Larnaca (four). They are seventh in the Ukrainian Premier League with 13 points from eight matches.