Willie Clemons scored on his professional debut with Swedish side Bodens in their league season opener away to Hudiksvalls on Saturday.

The Bermuda midfielder netted the game’s opening goal to open his account at his new club, who play in the fourth tier of the Swedish game, at the first opportunity.

“I’m very happy to score, especially the opener,” Clemons told The Royal Gazette. “A good match against a top side and I’m delighted to start my career on a positive.”

Clemons and his team-mates were closing in on victory with a 2-1 advantage but conceded a late goal which earned the home side a share of the spoils.

“It feels like a loss having led up until the final minutes,” Clemons added. “The end result put a little damper on things.

“Three points would have been the perfect debut. But big picture it is a positive result that we can build on.”

Bodens will resume their search for their first league win of the season in their next outing at home to IFK Luleaa on Saturday.

“First home match next week and I’m excited,” Clemons said. “I’m ready to get back to work.”

The former BAA player penned a two-year deal for Bodens last month.

He left Bermuda in January to participate in the Professional Soccer Consulting Baltic Showcase Tour in Latvia and Estonia in the hope of landing a professional deal after being recommended by national team-mate Dante Leverock, who plays for Estonian top-flight side Narva Trans, to take part in the tour.

Clemons, who is also a former Southampton Rangers player, was initially offered a deal to play for Estonian top-flight outfit Viljandi Tulevik, but turned them down after both parties were unable to come to a contract agreement.

The 23-year-old player made an immediate impact after joining Boden, helping his new club win a preseason tournament in which he was named the most valuable player, before touring the Caribbean with the national squad for international friendlies Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados.