Janko was at Manchester United, Celtic, St Etienne and Porto before joining Valladolid.
Saidy Janko said that The Gambia's qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations had a significant impact on his decision to represent the Scorpions.
The marauding full-back made his international debut in September in a friendly against Sierra Leone, after joining up with his new team-mates for the first time that month.
The coach has been talking to me over the last two years, but I'm not going to lie.
I was leaning towards coming even before the last call-up, but now it was clear that I had to do this.
I had to do it for my dad, my family, myself and the team. It would be great if I could help achieve something.
After Swiss wait, you can choose The Gambia.
Tom Saintfiet has been looking for players with the same name to join his squad before the Nations Cup.
The west Africans will be competing in the tournament in January in a group that also includes Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania.
"I'm 26 years old and it's an amazing opportunity," Janko said. To be able to qualify for such a small country after all these years is outstanding.
Janko, who was born in Switzerland to a father and an Italian mother, only went to The Gambia in 2000.
My father told me if I played for Switzerland or The Gambia it would be my decision.
It's the right time to choose. I talked to my father about my decision and he supports me.
Janko represented the country of his birth up to Under-21 level in action for Switzerland Under-19s.
He wanted to become a full international but couldn't.
He said that his goal was to play for the senior team.
I competed with the best and was never called up. It was a disappointment for me and my family, but it was their decision.
"Maybe it was the best thing for me so I can represent The Gambia."
Mainstay at Real Valladolid.
Janko struggled to establish himself at his previous clubs but has been a mainstay at Valladolid since his switch from FC Porto in January 2020.
He made 19 appearances in the La Liga last season, which ended in the Spanish second tier.
He said that he played well after his injury when he first joined Valladolid.
"Unfortunately we went down and that was huge for me mentally, and for the whole squad, because we had high hopes for our president."
We wanted to be close to the European spots. We have to deal with the second tier and do our best to get promoted and play in La Liga again.
Janko played for Manchester United in a League Cup match against third-tier MK Dons, but lost by a score of four to nil.
Janko's move from Porto was made possible by a big part of the purchase of a controlling stake in Valladolid by Brazil legendRonaldo.
He knew someone on the Porto board who was scouting me and asked if he could make it happen. Janko said.
It's amazing that a legend likeRonaldo would want me at his club. It gives the players a boost when he is at the stadium or training ground.
Despite interest from other places, Janko stayed with the club.
He doesn't want to rush into another transfer just because we're in the second division. I want to play to go up. I am happy with my decision, it's the first time for me.
A life-changing move.
Janko was spotted by Manchester United at a youth tournament.
He was named United's reserve team player of the year and made his debut under Louis van Gaal.
"If Manchester United call, you don't think twice," Janko said.
I was sad to leave home, but I was happy to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so the transition was pretty smooth. It was a great experience and I got my grind on from the beginning.
It's difficult for a young player to get a lot of playing time at a club like United because they have a lot of superstars who need to be playing.
It was the first year after Sir Alex Ferguson left so there was a lot of pressure on David Moyes and he couldn't really give the young ones a lot of chances.
I would have had more playing time if the results were better.
Janko is inspired by the fact that a former Brazil star is a club president.
There was a regime change. It was the same situation as before, Van Gaal needed points and couldn't allow himself to play with young players.
It's difficult to get a chance in the team because he gave me my debut, but that's not an excuse.
Janko never appeared for United again after 45 minutes of his senior debut. He moved to Celtic after a loan spell at Old United.
He said that he felt he didn't get enough opportunities at that time.
I wasn't complaining. I understand that players like Angel Di Maria and Wayne Rooney have to play. It was the right time to move on. The main reason I left was that I need playing time.
