By Mike Hogan
Sports Editor
Former St. Bonaventure men’s soccer midfielder Remi Dujardin fulfilled a lifelong goal of his last week, signing a professional contract with FC Jumilla in Murica, Spain.
Dujardin, who got professional-like experience this past summer with the Hong Kong U23 National Team, said the opportunity came after he graduated in the fall semester. After graduating, Dujardin went home to play in a tournament with his national team when he was contacted by an agent.
“After I graduated from Bona’s in the fall, I went back home for a tournament with my national team. I was contacted by an agent, and then I came to Spain in mid January,” said Dujardin. “I was on a two week trial, and I did well enough for the coaches to offer me a contract.”
Dujardin, who admits that he could have obtained professional opportunities at the age of 18 if he would’ve opted to stay in Hong Kong, said that that coming to St. Bonaventure allowed him to develop as a player while going to college. “I wanted to go,” said Dujardin. “But I knew that coming to St. Bonaventure would allow me to develop as a player, person and I would be able to get my degree.
“I remember when I was 18 before choosing the college route, I wanted to go,” said Dujardin. “But I knew that coming to St. Bonaventure would allow me to develop as a player, person and I would be able to get my degree. But playing professionally has always been on my mind. I came to Bona’s with it on my mind. It’s good to finally have the opportunity to start my career.”
Bonnies head coach Kwame Oduro also said that Dujardin could have opted to go professional earlier, but instead chose to further develop his game and obtain a quality education at St. Bonaventure.
“Before coming here, he had the opportunity to go pro at 18,” said Oduro. “He wanted to take the route of getting an education and then still being able to go the professional route after college. We thought it was a great choice for him that benefited him and our program. If anyone knows Remi, he worked seven days a week on the field and in the classroom, so he truly deserves to be where he is. We’re excited for him.”
Dujardin expressed that his time at Bonaventure not only helped him get better on the field, but also exposed him to an entirely different world than what he was used to in Hong Kong.
“As a soccer player, you’re always looking for different experiences,” said Dujardin. “For me, coming to America and playing soccer at the Division I level was good for me because of all the different experiences I had. The level of play was also very good, and it made me a better player. I also think that living on my own for the first time shaped me into a better person. I learned a lot about myself in the four years I had at Bonaventure, and I am very grateful for that.”
Oduro also elaborated on why his experiences here maximized his potential to pursue his professional and personal goals.
“I hope I impacted him as a person as a player. With how quick and physical the game is in America, it forced him to work on that part of his game,” said Oduro. “He was a skinnier kid when he came here. He put on 15 pounds of muscle in one year. He got stronger, bigger and wiser. I think that’s going to help him at the next level. He’s always had the mentality to be a pro, we just helped him groom that even more while he was here.”
After signing his first professional contract, Dujardin is already looking forward to building relationships with his new coaches and teammates. He hopes that by doing that, he will earn the necessary respect and trust to earn opportunities on the field.
“As a player, your playing career is short,” said Dujardin. “In the short term, I just want to adapt to the team environment and gain the trust of my players and coaches. By doing that, I will be able to compete for playing time. Everyone is really good out here, so I have to be patient. I am going to work as hard as I possibly can to get playing time.”
In closing, Dujardin gave thanks to Oduro, saying that he is a big reason why he is at this point of his career today.
“Most recently, I want to thank coach Kwame,” said Dujardin. “He’s the one that took the risk and brought me all the way to St. Bonaventure from Hong Kong on a very good scholarship. I also want to thank Michael Luck, who founded a company in Hong Kong that brings kids to America on scholarship for sports. Meeting him changed my life.”
Oduro, speaking softly, offered a few pieces of advice for Dujardin as he embarks on his new journey in Spain.
“Always have the hunger to want to play, and to get better each and every day,” said Oduro. “If he has that, it doesn’t matter where he plays, he will be a good player.”
hoganm17@bonaventure.edu
