AN ANDOVER man has moved 1,800 miles from his home to continue his football career in Sweden after failing to win a pro contract at Reading, writes Ken Gaunt.

For Josh Chatee, 26, the Scandinavian country has become almost a home away from home as his sixth season there is coming to a close.

The talented midfielder has two ambitions, one short term and one long term.

The first is saving his club Bodens BK, who play in the Swedish third tier,  League One North, dropping down a division.

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Andover Advertiser: Josh Chatee playing for Bodens BK FF (in green)Josh Chatee playing for Bodens BK FF (in green) (Image: Contributed)

The other is stepping up his bid to break into the Trinidad and Tobago national squad.

He is eligible through his grandfather and conversations have already taken place with senior officials.

Josh said: “ I am aiming towards next year and trying to make things happen. The most important part of that is to get a Trinidad passport.

“At the moment my club are in a relegation battle and it is also important for me that we do not lose our status.

“I want to be playing at a high level.  My contact is up next month when the season ends and I am sure we will have a conversation about that.

“But at the moment it is important we pick up some points in our last four games. That’s the goal.”

Josh admitted it was tough being told he wouldn’t get a contract after coming through Reading’s academy. But he soon shrugged off that disappointment.

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“The football foundation helped me a lot,” he said. "So I went out to Sweden and I had three coaches in my three months there!

“But I decided to continue playing there and I enjoy the lifestyle in the country. Apart from a short spell with Portadown in Northern Ireland, it’s where I have developed as a pro.”

Josh intends to stay in Sweden until December and do some training before returning to a Hampshire winter.

He still retains a soft spot for Reading and knows some of the players and staff there, adding:  “The sports science team organised a fitness programme for me when I came home last season. It was a really nice touch.”