In a moment that’s stirred national pride and excitement, 18-year-old Aldrine Kibet-once just a schoolboy footballer from Kitale-has officially joined Spanish top-flight side Celta Vigo in a reported €6 million deal.
The move marks a significant leap for the young midfielder, who rose to fame leading St. Anthony’s Boys High School to victory in the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) championship. He was named Most Valuable Player and top scorer after bagging 25 goals and 27 assists-numbers that caught the attention of European scouts.
“From Kitale to La Liga, Aldrine’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, who celebrated the transfer on social media. “This is a major milestone, not only for him but for Kenyan football.”
Kibet’s signing with Celta Vigo comes after nearly a year with Nàstic Sports Academy in Spain, where he moved in September 2023 to sharpen his skills and adapt to European football. The academy is tied to Gimnàstic de Tarragona, a third-tier Spanish club, and has served as a stepping stone for African talents aiming for the big leagues.
The €6 million (approx. Ksh 864 million) deal makes him one of Kenya’s most valuable teenage exports in football history.
Sports journalist Ole Teya said the impact of the move is already being felt back home. “Celta Vigo is about to gain a whole new fan base in Baringo and Kitale. Aldrine is not just a player-he’s a symbol of hope,” Teya said.
Social media has also been buzzing. “Congratulations, our star. Keep pushing,” wrote Levy Masika, one of many fans applauding Kibet’s rise.
A Club With History and Hunger
Celta Vigo, officially Real Club Celta de Vigo, is based in Galicia, northwest Spain. Known affectionately as Os Celestes (The Sky Blues), the club has built a solid reputation for grooming young players and maintaining a distinct regional identity.
Founded over a century ago in 1923, Celta has never won the La Liga title, but has come close. Its best league finish came in 2003, when it placed fourth. The club also made headlines in 2017, reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
This past season, under the guidance of head coach Claudio Giráldez, the team finished seventh in La Liga—earning a spot in the upcoming Europa League campaign.
Bright Future Ahead
For Aldrine Kibet, the journey is only beginning. His signing not only sets a new bar for Kenya’s youth footballers but also adds momentum to the growing wave of East African talent breaking into European leagues.
Back home in Kitale, there’s a sense that this is bigger than just football.
“He left here as a boy with dreams,” said one local coach who worked with Kibet in his early years. “Now he returns as proof that those dreams are possible.”
In a country where sports can often feel overlooked, Kibet’s success is a reminder of what’s possible with talent, discipline, and the right opportunity.
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