Former Nunawading striker Emile Damey has signed with Gibraltar side Manchester 62 presenting an opportunity to play in the Europa League.

Last year Damey was plucked from Victoria’s NPL2 and picked for Liberia’s squad during their African Cup of Nations qualifiers with the 22-year-old scoring on his national debut.

After spending the last six weeks in Spain trialling, Damey almost penned a deal with a Segunda B team, but delays in obtaining a working visa saw him sign with a Gibraltan Premier Division team instead.

 “There is an opportunity to play with Manchester 62 and the possibility of playing in the Europa League qualifications next season and that can only be a dream,” he said.

With the Gibraltan league on hiatus for six months, Damey was loaned out to Kuwait Premier League side Burgan SC.  

 “They obviously have a relationship with clubs outside Gibraltar itself,” Damey said. “So, with the club’s connection and relationship they sent me to Kuwait on a five-month loan. The Kuwait club that I am with was last on the table and they needed reinforcements.”

Damey made the journey to Kuwait City last weekend, and after only participating in three training sessions, the 177cm striker has already made an instant impact with his new club.

“On Tuesday, I scored on my debut and we won the game 3-2,” he said. “It was great to score on and get all three points. I helped the team leave the bottom of the table and I am happy about that.

“This is a very good start to my career because I am back to a professional level where I believe I belong. I've played professionally in Malaysia and I know the level.

“The team is happy and I’m adapting pretty quickly. The last two years has been a big learning curve for me. Being at Nunawading and now here this is good for me and I am happy I can showcase my talent.”

Manchester 62 was founded by a group of Manchester United supporters in 1962. After his loan deal with Burgan SC ends the striker plans to returns to Gibraltar in July and even though it’s a unique pathway Damey is determined to play continental football.

"I'm not going to pass on that opportunity it's still Europe," Damey said. "My initial plan was to play in Spain's third division and then showcase my talent and then get an opportunity to go to the second division. But I can also do that by playing in Gibraltar's first league and play in the Europa League and get seen. 

"When I say, there is a possibility of the playing in the Europa League they are not in the qualification phase yet. There is a tournament the club will play in the next month so if they win the tournament they will be in the qualification games for the Europa League next season."