Earlier in the month one of Charlton’s up and coming young prospects, Mikhail Kennedy, moved on loan to Derry City. Kennedy spoke to the Irish News, and he said that it is a ‘dream come true’ to play for his hometown.
In February, Charlton Athletic announced that the promising, Kennedy was going on loan to Derry until the end of the season. Kennedy’s name has become more well known and has spread through the Charlton ranks in the last year.
The 20 yearold has been potent and on excellent goal scoring form for the Charlton U23s. In his last three games he netted seven goals, including two in the 5-2 victory over Middlesborough in the Premier League cup last week.
Kennedy is part of the Northern Ireland U21 squad and is a lifelong Derry City fan. With the killer instict he is showing in front of goal, he was offered loan opportunities in Germany. However for Kennedy there was only ever one choice. The chance for Kennedy to play for the club he supported was too good an opportunity to turn down.
Interview:
Speaking to the Irish News, Kennedy is excited to get started and has made clear there are no excuses for him not to perform.
“I’ve no excuses,” said Kennedy. “It’s not like I’m not fit or just getting match fitness as I’ve been playing all season. I’ve been playing every week.
“Hopefully I can stay away from injuries and get amongst the goals again.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity for me. I could have stayed and played U23 football and maybe waited for an injury at Charlton. But when I spoke to the manager (Karl Robinson) about it, he said, ‘listen this is the opportunity you need’.
“He said he would prefer I came here and played for a team which would be playing Europa League this year and challenge for the league. So it’s a real opportunity.”
The hot academy prospect belives he will integrate and fit into the Derry City side swiftly, as he already knows quite a few of the players.
“One of the main reasons which persuaded me to come here, and I had other offers from clubs in Ireland, was that I’m coming into a settled squad with lads that I know and played with before.
“You look at [Ronan] Curtis, Conor [McDermott], Aaron [McEneff] and all the young lads, they wouldn’t look out of place in any English team.
“There’s a real team spirit here and watching them last year I could see that. So my mind was made up once I heard Derry were in for me.”
Kennedy is ready to thrive under the pressure and rise to the challenge.
“A lot of people will say, ‘he’s come back to Derry, he’s homesick and it’s a step backwards’.
“There’s a lot of benefits but there’s a lot of pressures as well. I’ve supported Derry my whole life and, in a way, it’s a dream come true to play for them.
“But with that comes a lot of pressure because I have a lot of family and friends who are massive Derry fans.
“I could have gone down south and I wouldn’t have had that pressure. But I will enjoy it and thrive on it. That’s what I want to do I want to make them proud as well. So it’s a big opportunity.”
Charlton fans will be hoping Kennedy will return from Derry, stronger and experienced, ready to fight in an Addicks’ shirt.
