Ulinzi Stars unveil midfield sensation Ben Stanley

Last season’s exciting youngster Ben Stanley Omondi is a new Ulinzi Stars player, the club confirmed on Thursday afternoon.

The announcement, which didn’t indicate the length of the contract, brings offseason speculation over the future of the player to an end, with several reports linking him to several top-tier sides including; former champions Tusker, KCB, Nairobi City Stars, and Kariobangi Sharks.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Ben Stanley,” a statement from the club read. “Welcome to Ulinzi Stars, Stanley!”

The new environment for the former Sofapaka player might not be that alien for Omondi afterall, as he was among a group of players turning out for the Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani side in recent weeks, and was recently given a start when Ulinzi played AFC Leopards in last week’s preseason game at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

Other players turning out for a place with the side then included; Michael Wanyika, Henry Onyango, Nicholas Omondi, Faraj Ominde, Peter Thiong’o, Herit Mungai and Benjamin Mosha.

Thiong’o and Mungai have however been reported to have left the Soldiers camp, with Omondi being the first new man to sign on the dotted line.

Omondi’s rise in the Premier League came last season, when he was roped in from Migori Youth by former Sofapaka head coach David Ouma as a replacement to Lawrence Juma.

The rookie midfielder impressed in preseason - scoring his debut goal in a 4-0 win over Rainbow FC in last September’s inaugural Elite Preseason Cup.

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At the end of his campaign, the former Kenya U20 player had helped his club reach the quarterfinals of the Mozzart Bet Cup last season and bagged three goals and a massive thirteen assists in all competitions.

Omondi, who was also part of the youth national team that participated in the Southampton Challenge trophy in 2016 in London, was awarded with multiple man of the match awards, before bagging his latest accolade at Batoto Ba Mungu - team’s player of the month of May.

Ulinzi Stars kick off the new (2023-24) season away to Nzoia Sugar at the Sudi Stadium, Bungoma on Saturday 26 August.