Aldrine Kibet: Harambee Stars Boss Benni McCarthy Weighs In on Wonderkid’s Move to Celta Vigo
- Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has commented on Aldrine Kibet joining Spanish side Celta Vigo
- The youngster spent the last two years at Nastic Academy in Spain, but confirmed his move on Wednesday, July 16
- Kibet is considered one of the most exciting talents in Kenya after impressing in the Kenya secondary school games
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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has shared his thoughts on Aldrine Kibet's blockbuster move to La Liga side Celta Vigo.
Source: Instagram
Kibet completed his move to Celta Vigo on Wednesday, July 16, becoming the latest Kenyan footballer to move to a top-five European league.
The 18-year-old signed a four-year deal and is set to play for the club's reserve side, Celta Fortuna, before competing for a spot in the first team.
How did Aldrine Kibet secure move to La Liga?
The young talent rose to prominence through school football with St Anthony's Kitale. His biggest moments came during the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports national championships held in Kakamega County.
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He delivered standout performances throughout the tournament, scoring seven goals and netting a brace in the final. These performances earned him the MVP award.
He caught the eye of academies in Europe, which led to him joining Nastic Sports Academy in Spain. He developed his skills at the academy in two years before Celta Vigo signed him.
He represented the Rising Stars at the CECAFA Under-20, scoring five goals and helping Kenya finish second and qualify for the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Now, he has a chance to play in a top league and perhaps wear the Kenyan colours at the 2027 AFCON on home soil.
What did Benni McCarthy say about Aldrine Kibet?
McCarthy is preparing his Harambee Stars team for the upcoming Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The South African was with Celta Vigo from 1999 to 2003 before moving to Porto, where he won the Champions League.
"He couldn't have gone to a better team," McCarthy told journalists in a press conference attended by TUKO.co.ke. “The football club is excellent. For a young player, you have a good pathway because Celta Vigo produces a lot of good players that find themselves playing in the first team. I had no say, or nothing to do with him signing at Celta Vigo.”
Source: Twitter
McCarthy said his first wife was from Vigo, stressing that his main concern is the language barrier.
“Try to speak Spanish as quickly as possible. 99 per cent in Vigo do not speak English, so he is going to struggle with the language barrier. But the people there are nice. He is in a perfect place.”
Kibet will likely have a chance to play for the first team next season if he impresses with the reserves. Some of the club's most prominent players include Marcos Alonso and captain Iago Aspas.
Former Kenyan international Titus Mulama exclusively told TUKO.co.ke he is happy about Kibet's move.
"It is encouraging to see a Kenyan player from a structure that is not complete to be taken to a top team like Celta Vigo. We can't have any pressure on him and start saying he is in La Liga."
"He has an opportunity to build his career, get playing time and develop properly. What is undeniable is he has the talent and a huge potential," he added.
"He could be given at most two seasons with the reserves and hopefully he can make a breakthrough to the professional team. Even if he doesn't play there, he could join a team in the league."
"It also shows that Kenya has have talent. If we can organise ourselves and put structures in place to nurture our kids well, there's an opportunity for them to go abroad early, which means our national team will be competitive," Mulama concluded.
How did Kenyans reacted to Kibet's move to Celta Vigo?
@wesmapesa:
"Boy scored outside the 18 yard at Bukhungu stadium while I watched live with my eyes, and he'll score outside the 18 yard at Camp Nou while I'll be watching live on TV."
@African_Broo:
"Good move for his development. Kijana ajitume sasa."
@pekcbv:
"From today I'll be following all updates on Celta Vigo and watch all their matches. I hope Aldrine Kibet shines and gets a chance to play in the EPL in future."
@werciquay:
"We are all Celta Vigo fans."
Kenyans who played in top five league
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke listed Kenyan footballers who played in a top-five league in Europe after Kibet's move.
Harambee Stars legend Dennis Oliech played in France, and Victor Wanyama played in the Premier League.
Michael Olunga and McCadonald Mariga are the last Kenyan footballers to play the Spanish top flight.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
