Jesse Darko Explained

Jesse Darko
Fullname:Jesse Asieddu Darko[1]
Birth Date:29 November 1993
Birth Place:Austria
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Chatham Town
Youthclubs1:Bromley
Youthclubs2:Cardiff City
Youthyears1:2007–2010
Youthyears2:2010–2012
Clubs1:Cardiff City
Clubs2:AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Clubs3:Episkopi
Clubs4:Kingstonian
Clubs5:Greenwich Borough
Clubs6:Glebe
Clubs7:Chatham Town
Years1:2012–2013
Years2:2013
Years3:2013–2014
Years4:2014–2015
Years5:2015–2017
Years6:2017
Years7:2017–
Caps1:0
Caps2:12
Caps3:4
Caps4:22
Goals1:0
Goals2:0
Goals3:1
Goals4:5
Club-Update:18:45, 21 May 2015 (UTC)

Jesse Asieddu Darko (born 29 November 1993) is an Austrian footballer who plays as a striker for Chatham Town.

Career

Early years

Born in Austria, Darko moved to England at the age of 10. His goal scoring exploits for Bromley's youth teams attracted the interest of Cardiff City, aged 16. His parents are originally from Ghana.[2]

Cardiff City

Having failed to make an appearance for the first team, Darko was loaned out to League Two side AFC Wimbledon on 21 February 2013 on an initial one-month deal.[3] Reunited with former teammates Jonathan Meades and Kevin Sainte-Luce, the trio developed at the South Wales club under the guidance of Neal Ardley.[4]

On 23 February 2013, Darko made his professional debut for AFC Wimbledon in a 1–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge, coming on as a second-half substitute for Gary Alexander.[5] After helping Wimbledon secure their Football League status, Darko returned to Cardiff, where he was released.[6]

Episkopi

On 25 July 2013, Darko joined Greek Football League South Group side Episkopi on a three-year contract.[7] He made his debut on 30 September 2013, coming off the bench in a 3–0 win against Fostiras.[8] Darko went on to make a further three appearances, scoring in his final game for the club on 20 October 2013.[9] He later cancelled his contract with the Greek club for personal reasons.[10]

Kingstonian

Darko returned to England ahead of the 2014–15 season, and enjoyed a trial at Chesterfield in November 2014. Despite having his initial trial extended, a contract was not offered to the striker. In December 2014, he joined Kingstonian. He made his debut in a 2–0 win at Walton Casuals in the Isthmian League Cup, scoring the opener just 35 minutes into his K's career.[11] He finished the 2014-15 campaign with five goals in 22 appearances, having been deployed as an impact substitute by manager Tommy Williams for much of the season.[12]

Greenwich Borough

Darko joined Greenwich Borough shortly after his departure from Kingstonian, and scored on his debut in a 2-1 cup victory over Phoenix Sports. With his side finishing as champions of the Southern Counties East League and earning promotion to the Isthmian Division One South, he managed just eight appearances during the season. Managing six wins and two draws during his involvement, Darko suffered two horrific injuries and faced a prolonged spell on the sidelines.[13]

On 29 August 2015, while playing in an FA Cup match at Beckenham Town, Darko collided with the opposing goalkeeper and suffered a broken fibula. Making his return in late February, he suffered a second leg break a week later against Lordswood on 27 February 2016.[14]

In September 2017 he joined Glebe of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.[15] Shortly after he transferred to league rivals Chatham Town.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/03/2013 and 31/03/2013 . The Football Association. 2013-06-10.
  2. Web site: Jesse Darko – ein junger Österreicher will sich bei Leihklub Wimbledon für die Premier League empfehlen » abseits.at.
  3. News: Darko Completes Wimbledon Loan . 2013-02-24 . Cardiff City . https://web.archive.org/web/20150201223253/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/darko-to-wimbledon-671777.aspx . 2015-02-01 . dead .
  4. News: Jesse on joining Wimbledon . 2013-02-24 . AFC Wimbledon.
  5. News: Dagenham & Redbridge 0 – 1 AFC Wimbledon . 2013-02-24 . BBC Football.
  6. News: Cardiff City: McPhail departs, McNaughton offered new deal . BBC Sport . 16 May 2013 . 16 May 2013.
  7. Web site: AO Episkopis -.
  8. Web site: Episkopi 3 - 0 Fostiras Tavros. 30 September 2013. Mackolik. 21 May 2016.
  9. Web site: Episkopi 2 - 0 Vyzas. 20 October 2013. Mackolik. 21 May 2016.
  10. Web site: Spireite Gazette: Jesse Darko. spireitegazette.blogspot.co.uk. 2016-05-21.
  11. Web site: Walton Casuals 0 vs. 2 Kingstonian - 9 December 2014 - First Team - Kingstonian FC. www.kingstonian.com. 2016-05-21.
  12. Web site: Jesse Darko - First Team - Kingstonian FC. www.kingstonian.com. 2016-05-21.
  13. Web site: Jesse Darko - 1st XI - Greenwich Borough (2013) FC. www.greenwichboroughfc.co.uk. 2016-05-21.
  14. Web site: After Two Leg Breaks in one season, Jessie Looks for a Lucky One - News - Greenwich Borough (2013) FC. www.greenwichboroughfc.co.uk. 2016-05-21.
  15. Web site: We've got to pick the players' up, says Glebe boss Ben Young . Kentish Football . 21 September 2017 . 1 April 2018.