Fletcher heading to India

After four years in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), national striker Jourdaine Fletcher is getting his chance to ply his trade overseas.

The 24-year-old completed his move to Indian outfit Gokulam Kerala FC on February 20 on a free transfer from current JPL leaders Mount Pleasant for the remainder of the season.

It is Fletcher's first overseas professional move after spending time in the United States college system between 2017 and 2018 playing for San Jacinto College in Houston and Eastern Florida State College, respectively. Fletcher is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he scored six goals in 13 appearances, including the postseason, helping Mount Pleasant reach the JPL semi-finals.

It is a move that Fletcher said that he is grateful for in an Instagram post on February 20, expressing his readiness to take advantage of his first overseas move. "I just want to take the time out to thank Gokelam Kerala FC for giving me this wonderful life-changing opportunity," Fletcher said. "I really appreciate it. Now it is time to show my class and talent."

Fletcher has been capped three times for the national team since making his international debut in 2017 under then head coach Theodore Whitmore and scored his first senior goal on March 12, in an international friendly against Bermuda.

Gokulam, the defending champions of the I-League, are currently in fifth place after their season-opening win against Churchhill Brothers on December 26. Fletcher will have an opportunity to play continental football during his time with Gokulam as they will be competing in the AFC Cup, the second-tier club competition in Asia. He could make his club debut as early as March 3 when Gokulam face NEROCA FC.

Another Jamaican, former national player Deshorn Brown, plays for North East United in the Indian Super League. Brown last played for Jamaica in 2018 when he appeared in two World Cup qualification matches.