New Raiders defender close to FK Skopje deal

New Raiders Football Club centre back, 25-year-old Richard Brown, is reportedly a day or two away from signing a professional contract with Macedonian First League outfit FK Skopje according to reports out of Macedonia.

Brown left the island August 14, accompanied by members of New Raiders’ executive, for a 15-day trial, which, from all reports, points to a deal awaiting the player, who once represented Cavalier, the four-time Jamaica Premier League champions.

Jason McKay, owner of the McKay Security Football Group, which includes McKay New Raiders, Kingston and St Andrew Football Association’s (KSAFA) Major League team, Meadhaven, as well as McKay Security, KSAFA Business House knockout winners and Raymond Quallo Memorial Trophy holders, said newly promoted FK Skopje have been impressed with Brown.

“It’s all but a done deal, but we are still working out some finer details,” said McKay, excited at the prospect of debuting a player in Europe.

“We always knew getting him overseas would attract suitors. We needed time to work on his strength and flexibility relating to previous injuries, which we accomplished by keeping him in camp leading up to the trial, “ McKay added.

Brown, who has also donned the colours of St Elizabeth’s Treasure Beach as well as St Catherine Police and Dunbeholden, is on course to emulate Renaldo Cephas, Revaldo Mitchell, and Cristojaye Daley as Jamaicans to have played in North Macedonia.

Reggae Boy Cephas, a former Arnett Gardens winger, starred for FC Shkupi, scoring 11 goals in 29 league games during the 2022–23 season before securing a high-profile transfer to Turkish club MKE Ankaragücü.

FK Skopje, who won promotion to the First League on June 1, after finishing as runners-up in the Second League, are bolstering their squad for a third stint in nine years among North Macedonia’s top-tier teams.

Meanwhile, Brown, raring for a shot at his first international break, said he has been giving his best, with his family back home in mind.

“A lot of sacrifice has been put into this. I am here trying to make myself, McKay Raiders, and my family proud,” he said during a break from training.