Leaving behind the blue lagoons of home, the Lifou-born striker headed to France to join FC Montaigu in the Division Superieure Regionale (DSR) in the Ligue Atlantique de Football.
Montaigu boasts 13,000 inhabitants and is situated in the north-east of the Vendee, which is equal distance from Nantes, Cholet and La Roche-sur-Yon.
It hasn’t been an easy transition for the striker, nicknamed “Fizine”, but with just one objective – to break through to the upper echelons of French football – his determination to succeed keeps him on track.
“For the moment at Montaigu everything is going well even in terms of acclimatisation, which was difficult the first few weeks,” Saiko says.
“On the game level, at the moment I’m feeling really good. I’m quickly adapting to the level of the game, especially as I had the opportunity to score a goal early after my arrival, which has given me a lot of confidence.”
His football qualities are evident – explosive pace being key – and has seen him catch eyes already, with Saiko earning a trial with Vendee Pore sur Vie Football, a side which is currently 14th in the Championnat National (French 3rd Division).
“What I saw is that to achieve the highest level I need to work, do more work and always keep working at training.”
Finding the motivation to keep going isn’t easy, but Saiko is confident he has the drive despite being a long way from home and his family.
“I feel really good at Mongaigu and the level here has already taught me a lot. But why shouldn’t I look further ahead to the CFA or the National?”
For more on New Caledonia football go to www.fedcalfoot.com

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