The adolescent Gambian moved from Danish Superliga team Odense Boldklub (OB) to Newcastle United in July. He was loaned out to the Eredivisie winners almost away, and in his last six outings in the Dutch top division, he has scored three goals and provided an assist.
Minteh made his international debut for the Gambia national team in September, scoring in his senior debut to assist the Scorpions qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He also competed on the European arena for Arne Slot’s club in the UEFA Champions League.
Yankuba Minteh feels he is “developing a lot both on and off the pitch” in the early stages of his football career, following a strong start to his loan stay at Feyenoord.
Speaking to nufc.co.uk at Feyenoord’s training facility in Rotterdam, Minteh stated: “So far, everything at Feyenoord is going well.” It’s been a nice start because I’m surrounded by good people and we have a solid team. The caliber of football played here is excellent, and I strive to give it my all each and every day in both practise and competition.
“The players and coaches on the team have tried their hardest to support and advise me. They are there to explain things to me if I don’t comprehend them so that I can understand what they want.
“I think I’m progressing significantly, both on and off the field. Denmark and Holland have different styles of play. It’s far larger, has a distinct culture, and has many elite players at every position on the field.
“I think I’m adjusting to it now, and I’ve been able to take my chances on the squad, which was something I found challenging when I first arrived. I feel like my physical and mental strength is increasing every day.”
A highly sought-after prospect, Minteh bravely left his home country to join OB at the age of 17. He immediately made an impact on his Danish Superliga debut, scoring the game-winning goal against FC Copenhagen three minutes after coming on, and he went on to record four goals and six assists in his senior debut season.
The Gambian attacker discussed his summertime move to Tyneside and the advantages he gained as a young man and as a football player during his stays in Denmark and the Netherlands.
The 19-year-old continued, “For anyone, this is a dream come true.” “If you’re counting a top division, the Premier League is number one. Every football player wants to play in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
It’s a fantastic chance for me. I wanted to join Newcastle because they are a large club and I noticed they support a lot of young players. All I have to do is keep up my hard work while I’m at Feyenoord.
The Gambia is a place where people are desperate to leave and play in Europe, where they can be seen by all and where they can earn more money than they could playing in Africa.
“These movements are really helpful to me. My life has changed; I now know how to eat healthily and concentrate on my football. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, and now that I’m a professional football player, I’ve realized that ambition.”
The young attacker, who lists Lionel Messi as his football idol, remembers watching the Premier League with great nostalgia as a child. He lists other United forwards, both current and former, that he has liked throughout the years.
“When they grow up, everyone wants to play in the Premier League,” he remarked. “The entire world watches this league.
“When Hatem Ben Arfa played for Newcastle, I was a fan and liked his style of play. I also enjoyed Papiss Cissé and Demba Ba, but these days, I’m looking up to fellow winger Miguel Almirón since I think our playing styles are comparable.
“As a football player, my pace is one of my key assets. I enjoy dribbling and can sprint very quickly, outpacing opponents in one-on-one situations and netting goals. One of my favorite things to do when playing on the field is dribble.”
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