After making a name for himself playing in the under-17 World Cup, Jekob Jeno left for France to play in the youth team of SC Amiens. Unfortunately he did not have game time and got transfered to AC Amiens, a neighbouring club in the sixth tier of French football; he played only five matches in the National 3 as the COVID-19 crisis prevented the continuation of the season. Soon after the return of football in the country he had trials at Grenoble and was signed for its ‘B’ team.
With Grenoble under risks of relegation in the Ligue 2, he got his first opportunity in the match against Auxerre coming from the bench and made his debut as starter in the match against Niort. Against Nimes, he played only 24 minutes, after receiving two yellow cards and being sent off.
Now, Grenoble has announced that they have signed the New Caledonian midfielder until 2025.
“When I left New Caledonia at 18, I knew it was late but I had this goal of turning professional. Today, it is a great pride and I can not wait to announce this good news to my parents and my family who does not know yet. When I joined the first team group in Grenoble, I knew that the transition to the pros was possible if I performed well. I had the opportunity to integrate little by little the group and I was lucky enough to get some minutes and even to make two starts. Now I know that the hardest part is starting and that I still have to learn but I was welcomed by the whole group and players like Manu Perez nad Franck Bambock, who have experience, give me a lot of advice.” – Jeno to Grenoble’s website
He is the third player to represent New Caledonian to reach the professional level in France – only Gope-Fenepej and Zeoula have achieved this before Jeno.
Jeno played two matches for the New Caledonia senior national team at the Pacific Games and is not on Dominique Wacalie’s World Cup qualifying list for still unknown reasons.
Oceania Football Center 