Ugandan forward Derrick Kakooza is preparing to travel to Belgium to undergo trials with Standard Liège, a prominent club in the Belgian Pro League.
The 22-year-old striker, currently a free agent, is seeking to secure a move to Europe after a series of setbacks in his career.
The trials follow a failed transfer to Latvian side FK Liepaja earlier this year, which fell through due to visa issues.
Most recently, Kakooza played for Bunna FC in the Ethiopian Premier League but left the club in January by mutual agreement.
Sources from ABP Sports Management Uganda, the agency representing Kakooza, confirmed the player’s imminent departure to Belgium.
He will leave next Monday for trials, and we are confident,” a representative said. “Standard Liège admires his potential and has been following him since the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2020.
They still believe in his ability to develop into a prolific goal scorer, but they want to evaluate his current form.
The trials mark a critical juncture for Kakooza, who has not played competitive football for nearly a year.
Despite this, Standard Liège remains interested in his abilities, particularly his goal-scoring prowess demonstrated during his youth career.
Kakooza first gained international attention at the 2020 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania, where he emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.
His exceptional performance helped Uganda’s U20 team reach the final, where they were defeated by Ghana.
He was subsequently named in the competition’s Team of the Year, cementing his reputation as a rising star in African football.
This is not Kakooza’s first experience with European football. In 2022, he had a stint with Valmiera FC in Latvia.
He has also played for Ennpi in Egypt’s Premier League and Police FC in Uganda’s top division. On the international stage, Kakooza has earned four caps for the Ugandan senior national team, scoring once.
The opportunity to train with Standard Liège offers a chance to revive a career that has shown immense promise.
The Belgian club, known for nurturing young talent, is optimistic about Kakooza’s potential but remains cautious, given his recent lack of competitive action.
As he prepares to depart for Belgium, Kakooza’s fans and supporters in Uganda will be hoping this opportunity provides the breakthrough he needs to establish himself on the European stage.
