Harambee Stars prolific midfielder Timothy Ouma has pledged to assert authority on the international stage following a lush deal he penned over the weekend.
Ouma, 20, is poised to embark on a fulfilling career after making a giant leap from Swedish side Elfsborg to Czech behemoths Slavia Prague on Sunday.
The four-and-a-half-year contract worth 40 million Kronor (Sh473 million), which runs until June 2029, marks a significant turning point in his burgeoning career.
In an interview on Wednesday, Ouma said he is aware he carries with him the hopes of many— an entire generation of budding Kenyan players who dare to dream big.
“I am going to conquer and show the world that Kenyan football is a force to be reckoned with,” he declared with the zeal and drive that defines young athletes on the verge of greatness.
“I am excited to step onto the field and make an impact; it is fantastic. I am keen to contribute to a club with a rich history, having won 21 league titles overall, including seven in the Czech Republic,” he added.
Beyond the pitch, Ouma’s transfer has significant financial implications for several clubs involved in his development.
Nairobi City Stars stands to benefit substantially from the transfer deal, with the Kenyan Premier League club expected to receive over Sh23m.
Additionally, Ouma’s formative club, RYSA, is entitled to a development fee ranging from 10 to 20 per cent of the transfer amount, translating to a potential windfall of Sh46m to Sh93m.
This transfer marks a pivotal moment in the financial landscape of Kenyan football, reminiscent of the lucrative solidarity payments received by City Stars following Victor Wanyama’s £12.5 million move to Southampton in 2013.
Ouma’s football journey began humbly at the Riruta Youth Soccer Academy, where he honed his skills from 2012 to 2017.
Here, his innate talent began to shine, laying the groundwork for his future endeavours.
After completing his studies at Laiser Hill Academy, he joined Nairobi City Stars in 2020, where his rapid ascent in the Kenyan Premier League captured the attention of scouts both locally and internationally.
His debut on November 29, 2020, against Nzoia Sugar, was a harbinger of the talent that lay within, culminating in his first top-flight goal against Sofapaka on September 26, 2021.
By the end of that season, Ouma had scored seven goals, firmly establishing himself as a player to watch. In July 2022, Ouma’s journey took a pivotal turn when he signed with Swedish top-tier club IF Elfsborg.
His transition to Europe was marked by adaptability and determination, as he made his Allsvenskan debut on October 31, 2022, against Helsingborg.
Ouma’s first goal in the Swedish
league came on September 19,
2024, in a thrilling 2-2 draw
against IFK Norrköping.
