Olunga hints at move from Kashiwa Reysol
By Lynette Matheka
Japan-based Kenyan footballer Michael Olunga has hinted that he could be on his way out of Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol and could possibly play in a different league in the new season.
Olunga joined Reysol in the 2017/2018 season from Chinese club Guizhou Zhicheng and went on to help the club gain promotion to the J1 league. The former Gor-mahia player emerged the second top scorer in the league with 27 goals, one shy of the top scorer. Reysol finishes top of the log with 84 points from 42 matches.
“I am on holiday now as I hope greater opportunities are coming my way. I cannot confirm whether I will be in Japan for the next season. I am not under pressure to move from Japan because every league presents its own unique challenges. If it were an inferior league every player would be bagging hat tricks. It is a fast-growing league and we hope it will be a better stepping for other talented players.
“As for my move to a European league, as is expected that after scoring 27 goals in the league, offers were bound to come and I am in talks with several people. I cannot spell out from whom the offers are, but wait for the news really soon,” said Olunga.
Romours of his move started a while back with an unnamed team in Germany linked with the lanky forwards exit from Japan. Several others in Europe are also said to be searching for his signature.
The forward was speaking at the sidelines of the second edition of the ‘Michael Olunga Tournament’ at Babadogo Grounds in Nairobi. The tournament has since moved to Olunga’s home county Homa Bay where action began on Tuesday.
