South African club signs up Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu
The move of Kenyan footballers to South Africa’s top flight league continues after Joseph “Crouch” Okumu’s move to Free State Stars on Wednesday.
The youthful defender has agreed in principle a two year deal with the club based in Free State province.
The transfer is now only pending an agreement between the South African outfit and Okumu’s club Chemelil Sugar – a process considered a formality by Stars General Manager Rantsi Mokoena.
“He is going to be our player for the next two years at the very least because we have assessed his technical abilities and believe he can develop into an exceptional player,” Mokoena told Nairobi News on phone.
TRANSFER CONFIRMED
Chemelil Sugar coach Francis Baraza also confirmed this impending transfer on Thursday, adding he expects the Kakamega High School alumnus to even scale greater heights in the Premier Soccer League.
“I have known the boy since he started high school in 2012. He is by estimation the best defender in the league in terms of tackling, interceptions, aerial threats and analysing the game. He will land in Europe very soon if all goes well,” Baraza, a former Kenya international and Harambee Stars assistant coach said.
The 19 year-old lanky defender joins an ever growing list of Kenyan players who have switched ranks to the Premier Soccer League in recent times such as Paul Were, Clifton Miheso and Victor Ali Abondo.
Considered one of Africa’s most competitive leagues by pundits, the PSL is fast becoming an attractive destination to several players from East Africa, mainly due to the attractive remuneration rates.
Managed by successful Frenchman Denis Lavgne, Free State Stars will commence this season’s PSL campaign away to Chippa United next Wednesday.
