Edwards’ Belgian jaunt a major loss for willing Mt Pleasant

Paul Christie, sporting director of Mount Pleasant Academy, has described prolific striker Raheem Edwards’ transfer to Belgian second-division club RAEC Mons as a major loss for the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions, but says the club is confident of finding a suitable replacement.

Edwards, 24, signed a three-year contract with RAEC Mons following an outstanding JPL campaign in which he emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous goalscorers.

He netted 23 goals in the JPL last season and finished the campaign with 27 goals for Mount Pleasant, including four in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. He had also scored 13 goals for the club during the 2024-25 season.

Christie said Edwards had earned the opportunity to take the next step in his career.

“He came and he saw and conquered, so he deserved the move, and the Mount Pleasant family is just happy for him to be part of his journey and we wish him the best in the next phase of his career,” Christie said.

“The Belgian people came here and they were watching him, and they were saying that they needed a striker like him,” he said.

“We started the business with them, then it was completed, and we are happy for him and rooting for him in the next phase of his journey.”

Christie added that Mount Pleasant has no doubts about Edwards’ ability to succeed overseas, particularly because of his natural goalscoring ability.

“We have no doubt that he is naturally a goalscorer, and that is what he does, scoring goals, so we are backing him to continue his football journey,” he said.

While Edwards’ departure leaves a significant void in Mount Pleasant’s attack, Christie noted that the club’s philosophy of developing players for overseas opportunities means it must be prepared for situations like these.

“Our mandate at Mount Pleasant is to win and develop at the same time, so it is on to the next man where our journey and development are concerned,” he said.

“We are winning by developing players for the overseas market, and we are trying to win on the pitch as well, so this is part of the cycle and journey.”

Christie also praised Edwards’ attitude and work ethic, noting that those qualities played a major role in his development.

“He is a good human being, and he has a never-say-die attitude,” Christie said. “He shows up early for training and he leaves late because he tries to do a little extra all the time, and it shows on the pitch.

“He scored 27 this season and 13 the previous year, and it shows that it is not a fluke. It is because of the work that he put in, and so we are just happy for him,” he said.