Taye Jackson’s football career has gone full circle.
The attacking midfielder has re-signed for ACE more than a decade after joining our Under 12s.
In between the 23-year-old he has played NPL, FQPL, for three clubs in Barcelona and recently in Hungary and Slovenia.
However, it was ACE’s recent success (runners-up in their first FQPL2 season) which caught his eye for 2023.
“I saw ACE got promoted to FQPL1 and was interested to come back here,” he said.
“I can see what they are working for – and striving for – and hope my experience can help them make a mark in FQPL1.”
The latest signing in ACE’s new-look squad started at the Zee Academy, before joining ACE and then going into the NPL Qld with Moreton Bay United and Brisbane City.
For six years he lived and went to school in the Catalonia region of Spain, playing for AEC Manlleu and then SCR Pena Deportiva in the region’s top Under 18 Division.
FC Vilafranco gave him a contract in Catalonia’s Under 23 third tier, but when COVID arrived Taye returned to Brisbane.
He had two seasons with Brisbane Strikers in the NPL and FQPL and the first six months of 2022 at Caboolture Sports.
There followed an ‘opportunity’ to go to Hungary and then a contract with Slovenia Division Two side NK Fuzinar.
Taye speaks fluent Spanish, ‘a little’ Catalan which was spoken at his school and a few phrases of Hungarian and Slovenian.
Now back at ACE the attacking midfielder is hoping to play in our pre-season match at Peninsula Power tomorrow.
He missed last weekend’s game (over four 25-minute quarters) against Moreton Bay United.
“I’m feeling fitter than I thought I’d be,” Taye said.
“My aim is to keep progressing from here. Keep getting fitter and get ready for the start of the season … and get results for the club.”
