The biggest winners and losers in KPL transfers

He came, he saw and he conquered. That is the short story of former Gor Mahia defender Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.

After just one year in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), Ouma has jumped ship to Europe after signing a three-year deal with Georgian club, FC Kolkheti.

Ouma, who turns 20 this year, has left a big mark at Gor Mahia, where he shocked everyone by displacing the highly-experienced Abouba Sibomana at the back line.

At the end of the 2016 season, Ouma won the award for the Young Player of the Year, a big achievement for a player in his first time at the top.

Apart from commanding a first team place at Gor Mahia, he also did the same with the national team Harambee Stars.

Gor Mahia will certainly be the biggest losers as the player leaves on a free transfer after his initial six-month deal ran out.

The player’s handlers refused to sign a long-term contract when it was presented to them in mid-season, opting for a short one in the hope that he could get away without any complications as soon as a new deal emerged.

At the beginning of this year and with his future at Gor Mahia uncertain, the fans seemed to turn against the player whom they accused of insisting on a further six-month contract.

The player was forced to dispute the reports on social media, stating that, “I wish to categorically state that rumours circulating around that I recently insisted on a further six-month stay at Gor Mahia and in the process, turning down a three-year offer, is misinformed.

 Neither myself nor my representatives have held official talks with the club as purported by a section of the media, but I am fully aware that a meeting regarding the same is being scheduled to clear the air.”

With that statement, the player packed his bags for Europe. While Gor Mahia could have lost Ouma, the team was boosted by the arrival of last year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kenneth Muguna from Western Stima.

Muguna was a revelation in the just-ended season, but could find it difficult to cope at Gor Mahia.

Given his new status, Gor Mahia fans are likely to expect too much from the player and with the added pressure, it remains to be seen if he can have a repeat performance.

 Other than Muguna, Gor Mahia have also signed Jean-Baptiste Mugiranza from Rwanda. The arrival of Mugiranza means that Abouba Sibomana has to leave Gor Mahia who have exhausted their foreign quota.

He is the third Rwandan to join the former KPL champions.

AFC Leopards have rather been quite in the transfer window, but have still managed to sign some big names in Whyvonne Isuza and Robinson Kamura, who were formerly at Mathare United.

 The club is also chasing the signature of another Mathare United player, Eric Johanna. Champions Tusker have added to their squad Samuel Olwande and Sydney Ochieng, formerly of Chemelil Sugar and Palos respectively.

The brewers were dealt a major blow following the departure of head coach Paul Nkata who joined Bandari.