The 17-year-old is heading to Stade Lavalllois where he will join the Ligue 2 club’s academy in July, the first step in what he hopes will be a long and prosperous career.
“My objective is to absolutely become a professional,” the young attacker says.
“I was thinking about it already, well before the World Cup qualifiers. That’s why I’m going to France because if not, I would never have decided to settle there.”
In his final year at high school, Kenon learned much of his football with his club OMS Paita, and coach Jean-Paul Cureau is among those who are far from surprised he’s bound for France.
“He really caught their eye,” Cureau says of the immediate impression Kenon made on the club.
“When Stéphane Moreau, the head of the club’s academy, saw the technical qualities Joris possesses, he wanted to trial him straight away.”
It’s a big deal for U-17 international, who says he is completely aware of the sacrifices he’s going to have to make to succeed, as well as the dedication life as a professional will require.
“I’m worried about leaving for sure,” he says, “with the cold, the distance from my family, I’m going to have to adapt for sure.”
To help a little with the acclimatisation, Kenon will have senior international César Zéoula (formerly Lolohea) to lean on for support. Zéoula has been with Laval since 2011 and will be able to provide advice as someone who has been through it all before.
“I met him during my trial at Laval,” Kenon says of Zéoula.
“It went well between us and I’m really happy that he will be there. France is big and he will help me by providing some reference points once I’ve arrived.”
Cureau believes Zéoula’s presence is what will make the difference for his former charge.
“The first year is complicated and at his age it’s never easy to leave the cocoon of the family. That’s why he’s fortunate that he’s going to a club with a familial atmosphere like Laval, where he will have some time, and a compatriot, to count on for support,” Cureau says.
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