Austin Odhiambo: Millions Gor Mahia Will Earn From Sale of Playmaker to Lebanese Giants

Austin Odhiambo completed his long-awaited transfer abroad on New Year’s Eve when he signed for Lebanese giants Nejmeh SC.

Odhiambo has been flirting with overseas moves for the last 18 months and after missed opportunities, he finally decided to join the Middle East club, where he will link up with his Harambee Stars teammates Masud Juma and Anthony Akumu.

The playmaker is the second Gor Mahia player to move straight to Lebanon following Benson Omala’s ill-fated transfer to Al-Safa in August 2024 and as he begins a new chapter in his career, K’Ogalo will bank a tidy sum from his sale.

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Odhiambo was the most valuable player in the FKF Premier League and he was going to command a huge fee for whoever was going to sign him. Given he was entering the final six months of his contract, Gor Mahia opted to cash in rather that see him leave for free at the end of the season.

As per an official who did not wish to be named, Gor Mahia will pocket close to $65,000 (Ksh8 million) for the midfielder who has been a great servant of the club since signing for them from AFC Leopards in 2021.

Odhiambo led Gor Mahia to back-to-back league titles in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and was crowned the Player of the Season in 2024 after a stellar show that saw him lead the assist charts and add 11 goals for Johnathan McKinstry’s side.

He was the club’s top scorer last season with nine goals as Gor Mahia finished second in the league and FKF Cup and also scored two goals for Harambee Stars in the 2024 African Nations Championships.

Odhiambo’s move to Lebanon was, however, a surprise as he was reported to be courting the interest of a number of African giants as well as a club in Belgium since the end of the 2023-24 season.

His departure robs Gor Mahia of a major creative force who was key to their hopes of recapturing the league title from holders Kenya Police.