Joseph Okumu linked with Sh300 million move to Rangers

Joseph Okumu. [Photo: Getty Images]

Kenyans might soon have one of their own to watch in the UEFA Champions League next season should Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu's much-talked-about move to Rangers materialise.

Okumu is heavily linked with the Scottish champions who will play in the 2021/2022 Champions League, next season.

Steven Gerard-coached Rangers are in the market for a defender to replace Filip Helander, who is now being linked with a move away to Aston Villa and Leicester City.

Should Rangers who are understood to be willing to pay Sh300 million sign the cheque, then Okumu could become the second Kenyan after Victor Wanyama to have featured in the Scottish League and the fourth to have played in the UEFA Champions League.

Other Kenyan players who have featured at the European inter-club competition are Denis Oliech and McDonald Mariga who broke the ice in 2010, with Inter Milan.

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama dribbles past Comoros' Ali M.madi during a Group G match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros at Kasarani Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Wanyama played for Celtic between 2011 and 2013 before moving to English Premier League side Southampton on 11 July 2013 - in a Kenyan transfer record fee of Sh1.2 billion (£12.5 million).

Okumu, whose market value is estimated at Sh150 million, according to Transfer Market, could move to the Ibrox Stadium in the next transfer window. 

Okumu who played for Chemelil Sugar in the Kenyan Premier League, before making a first professional move to Free State Stars of South Africa is currently attached to Swedish side Elfsborg.

The former Ann Arbor central defender has also featured for America USL League two side Real Mornarchs that the Leopard to qualify for the Europa League after finishing second in the Swedish Allsvenskan.

The 23-year old Harambee Stars defender has made 34 appearances for IF Elfsborg in all competitions since 2019.