From the Maracana to King’s Park, family needs bring Brazilian to Hong Kong Premier League
Kayke David savouring North District chance three years after rubbing shoulders with stars in Flamengo’s squad
Three years after sharing a dressing room with Flamengo’s star-studded Copa Libertadores-winning squad, Kayke David is settling into the more sober surrounds of Hong Kong Premier League club North District.
Home matches in the revamped 79,000-seat Maracana Stadium and training at the sprawling Ninho do Urubu complex have given way to practising on 3G artificial turf at King’s Park in Kowloon, and playing in the tired surrounds of his new club’s 2,500-capacity ground.
David has come to the city alone, leaving his long-term partner behind in Rio de Janeiro.
Regardless, the 22-year-old “did not think twice” about leaving the city and club Americano for a “great opportunity to get seen here in Hong Kong”.
“When I was a child, my only ambition was to play football and have fun on the field,” David said. “But we grow up, there is more responsibility involved. If I don’t do a good job for my family, then I’m no good.