As the 2024 Copa América begins this week, we’re focusing on a player from each of the 16 participating countries. In this latest article of the series, we’ll concentrate on current Clermont Foot striker Shamar Nicholson.
Nicholson spent the 2023-24 season on loan to Clermont from Spartak Moscow, but before moving to France's top flight, the 27-year-old's career began in his native Jamaica. The Clermont goal scorer played for Trench Town High School during his youth career.
He eventually cracked Boys' Town's first team, and after four years with the Jamaican side, the center-forward moved to Europe. Nicholson joined Slovenian club Domžale, making 56 total appearances while scoring 20 goals and registering four assists.
After three years in Slovenia, Nicholson moved to play in Belgium for Charleroi, making 83 appearances across all competitions while scoring 31 goals and registering 11 assists. The Jamaican striker left Belgium for Russia in 2022, where he'd make 43 total appearances while scoring 12 goals and recording four assists.
Back-to-back Ligue 1 games scoring, Shamar Nicholson 🇯🇲👌 pic.twitter.com/UqG8fHESMF
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 14, 2024
While speaking to Ligue 1 in March, Nicholson talked about adapting to life in France and noted that playing in Belgium helped prepare him for his new environment.
"I was not surprised by what I found here, especially since when I was in Belgium, I had come to France several times. But there is definitely a big difference compared to Jamaica. There, there is always music, people talking together in the street... The culture is undoubtedly quite similar to that of Africa."
"The main difficulty in my adaptation to Europe was the weather. Food wise, it was okay. When I arrived in Europe, playing first in Slovenia then in Belgium, I could find pasta, or fried chicken, like in Jamaica. The real difference and the main challenge was the weather!"
Nicholson's impressive performance in Europe has secured him consistent call-ups to the Jamaican national team since 2017 and he has made 42 appearances and scored 11 goals for the team. The most important goals of his international career came against Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League tie last year, which allowed them to secure their spot in the 2024 Copa América.
Shamar Nicholson's brace flips the script! Jamaica surges ahead 2-1, bringing the aggregate score to a 3-3 tie! 🇯🇲 pic.twitter.com/QFHa09MZOP
— Concacaf Nations League (@CNationsLeague) November 22, 2023
"This match in Toronto will also remain a great memory. In the CONCACAF zone, we achieved some results, but no one took us seriously. In recent years, we have still managed to beat Mexico, the United States..."
"But yes, Canada is one of the best national teams in the region. They finished ahead of Mexico and the United States in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. Achieving what we achieved in Toronto means that we will be taken more seriously, but it is only the beginning."
Nicholson and Jamaica will open the tournament on Saturday when they face Mexico on Matchday 1 in Houston, Texas, at NRG Stadium.
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