From left: Kenyan players Ryan Ogam, Henry Meja and Frank Odhiambo. They are among the long list of players who have had to secure moves to other clubs after struggling to make an impression following their high-profile moves to Europe.

📋 Breaking It Down

For most footballers globally, plying their trade in Europe is the ultimate goal.

The icing on the cake for them is being recruited by clubs competing in the big five leagues in the continent: the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spanish La Liga and French Ligue 1.

While several African footballers have gone on to achieve remarkable success in Europe, many others have struggled to make an impression.

📌 What You Need to Know

Consequently, they have either been sold or loaned by their clubs while others have opted to return home in search of a fresh start.

Kenya has had its fair share of such cases, with Ryan Ogam, Henry Meja, Stanley Wilson and Frank Odhiambo among the long list of players who have had to secure moves to other clubs after struggling to make an impression following their high-profile moves to Europe.

Striker Ogam, 21, accomplished his dream of playing in Europe when he joined Austria’s top-flight side, Wolfsberger Athletik Club in September last year. But having been deprived of regular playing time at the club, the left-footed attacker sealed a loan move to Belgium’s second-tier side, Royal Football Club de Liège.

After an outstanding 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) campaign with Tusker, Meja joined Sweden’s giants AIK Football on a five-year contract.

However, the 24-year-old midfielder struggled to establish himself at the club and has spent successive seasons on loan at lower-tier sides in Sweden - Norrby IF and Athletic Football Club Eskilstuna.

Midfielder Wilson, 19, joined AIK in 2024 from Kariobangi Sharks in a deal worth Sh 25 million. He was loaned to Enköpings SK FK in 2025.

📰 Source: Nation Africa