Bwomono warming to life in rainy Paisley after travelling the world ELVIS ON TOUR
ELVIS BWOMONO’S travels have taken him from the heat of Africa to Iceland’s frozen north.
But it’s in rain-soaked Scotland he’s hoping to kick up a storm, having helped St Mirren thunder back to form.
The 25-year-old – who joined Stephen Robinson’s Buddies in December – was born in Uganda but raised in London after his family left their homeland in search of a more prosperous life abroad.
But that wasn’t the end of the former Arsenal and QPR trainee’s globe-trotting tour.
After knocking back a new deal at Southend, the leftback opted to take up an intriguing offer at IBV, a club based on a tiny island just off Iceland’s southern coast.
After two seasons enduring bracing temperatures and eye-watering living expenses, Bwomono decided to return to the UK upon winning a six-month Saints deal.
Bwomono said: “I was born in Uganda and came to England when I was two or three. The majority of my family are still in Uganda and I see them when I go back.
“I have played for Uganda so every international game I normally get the chance to see them.
“I can vividly remember leaving to come to England.
“I remember little things like packing my bag to visit family – cute little memories.
“I had never been on a plane. It felt different, it felt weird and I knew something big was happening. When I came to England, the weather was bad and I wanted to go back to Uganda!
“I’ve got brothers and sisters who are a lot older than me. It was probably tougher for them to settle.
“It was a case of coming for a better life and better opportunities. I grew up in Harrow. I was in the academies of Arsenal and QPR then moved to Southend.
“I got a scholarship there, fast-tracked myself into the first team and played a lot of games. After that I moved to Iceland, which was very different.
“Hermann Hreidarsson was my manager, who I had at Southend. It was a completely different type of football and a completely different type of living but you just adapt to how they are. It was all good.
“The weather here is colder, even though Iceland should be colder!
“But you are never over there for the harsh winters.
“It’s a beautiful country and I got to see so much. You get seven or eight different types of weather in a day.
“We went glacier walking, saw the sky lagoons, there are active volcanoes.
“It’s cheaper here in Scotland than in Iceland, where prices are crazy! But the good thing was I was able to get everything I wanted through the club. Here it is a lot easier with nutritional food and meal preparations.”
Bwomono has faced a tough introduction to the Scottish top flight, having suffered three defeats to the Old Firm in his first six appearances since making his debut on January 2.
But back-to-back league wins over Dundee and Hibs have raised hopes Robinson’s fifth-placed Buddies may just be able to cling on to a European slot.
Bwomono said: “I’ve really enjoyed it here. I’ve been here since the start of December but couldn’t play until January so it has been about understanding how the manager wants to play and understanding Scottish football.”