Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech set to become highest paid player in local league

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Gor Mahia will make former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech the most expensive player in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Oliech has agreed a lucrative Sh350,000 per month salary after signing a one year contract with the club making him the highest paid player in the local league.

On top of that, Oliech will also earn Sh3.5million sign on fee to be paid in two installments.

The first installment will be paid this month and the final one next month.

He is expected to be unveiled on January 9 in Kisumu when Gor Mahia play Posta Rangers.

Oliech agreed terms with the KPL champions after two days of trials this week and he expressed his excitement at the prospect of make a return to the local league.

“I have trained twice with Gor Mahia and it turned out perfectly. I am happy that the coach has agreed to sign me and I promise to give him my best,” he said.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

He added:”Working with the players over the last two days has been great and they are all delighted to see me and have given me all the support I needed.”

Oliech said he was ready for the pressure that comes with playing for Gor Mahia especially now that the champions have been struggling in the last few matches.

“It is very clear there has been a striker problem and therefore the pressure will be me to perform. I am up to the task and promise to deliver.”

He has also not ruled out a return to the national team Harambee Stars who will be playing in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals after a 15-year absence.

“It would be great to return to the national team and help them do well in the Nations Cup. It will however depend on whether the coach is impressed with my performance in the local league,” he said.

Last week, Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay said he needed to sign Oliech to beef up his striking options after the team lost 1-0 to Kariobangi Sharks at Kasarani in a KPL match.

Having exhausted their foreign quota, Oliech was the only option for Gor Mahia who will later this month take part in the CAF Confederations Cup qualifiers.

Gor Mahia Chief Executive Officer Lodvick Aduda was cagey about the move only confirming that the player has been training with the club.

“He has been training with us and we are waiting for the recommendations of the coaches on whether to sign him or not. Once we get that go ahead, we will sit down and negotiate,” he said.

Aduda said they are hoping to complete everything by this week so that the player can be eligible to play against Mathare United.