Kenyan "Messi" all set for Spanish move

KCB and Harambee Stars utility player David Owino has expressed hope in completing his delayed move to Spain possibly next season.

The player commonly christened as Messi had agreed to join the Catalonia based fourth-tier side Unió Esportiva (UE) Figueres last year but the negotiations were grounded following the advent of coronavirus and the subsequent declaration as a global pandemic which saw majority of states lock its airspace and clubs halt their activities.

Owino was initially set to jet out on August 15 last year to complete the move but was forced to shelve the plan after the pandemic disrupted the transfer window periods in Europe.

He had won the deal after successfully trying out with them late in 2018 but it is understood that the Spanish side failed to reach an agreement with Owino's immediate former employer, Mathare United.

With the Spanish airspace and the transfer window closed, the former Kibera Lexus player who was in his final months at Mathare elected to sign a short term deal at KCB in October to keep himself attached awaiting to go pro next season.

The former Laiser Hill alumnus says the Spanish club which plies its trade in the Tercera División – Group 5, and stages its home matches at the Estadi Municipal de Vilatenim has been in touch with him and insists that he is part of their long term plan.

"I am hoping to join Figueres when my stay at KCB elapses. They say that I am still in their plan and hopefully I will be part of their squad from next season. Obviously the delay is frustrating but there is little I can do since the pandemic has affected everyone in a different way," he said.

Owino who conceded to draw inspiration from Stars central defender and the Sweden based Joseph Okumu said he had come of age and going professional was top in his priority list.

"I am satisfied with what I have achieved in the Kenyan league and time is ripe for me to explore a new challenge elsewhere. It is the dream of every player to play for the national team and to play abroad and since I have achieved the former, my focus is to chase the latter," he said.

The diminutive player who can be slotted as a full back left and as a midfielder in the meantime revealed that he was comfortable in the two departments. The 23-year in his formative years of his career was deployed as a midfielder but was converted to a defender-cum wing back at Mathare only to return to midfield at KCB.

"Recently, the national team head coach was asking me where I fit in best and my strong foot. My answer was simple, full back and in the midfield," he added.