Kenyan youngster signs first professional rugby contract in England

Kenya Chipu youngster Josh Weru has signed his first professional rugby contract after joining the senior academy setup at England’s Premiership side Northampton Saints, the club has confirmed.

According to Saints, the Kenyan-born 18-year-old, who has been a part of Saints’ Academy set-up since the age of 14, put pen to paper on his first professional contract after catching the eye of academy coaches and will become the ninth player to graduate from the Club’s Under-18s side ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Following the news, Josh, an athletic back row who predominantly features at No.8 or blindside flanker, will now train with the first-team squad at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens as he studies full-time for a degree at Loughborough University in England.

“Josh Weru has joined Northampton Saints’ Senior Academy set-up, and will train with the first-team squad at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Kenyan-born 18-year-old put pen to paper on his first professional contract after catching the eye of Saints Academy coaches Mark Hopley, Will Parkin, Jake Sharp and Tim Grimsey, and becomes the ninth player to graduate from the Club’s Under-18s side ahead of the 2022/23 season,” the club posted on their official website.

The player, who was called up to the Kenya U20 setup back in 2020 by Paul Odera when he was just 16, drew a lot of praise from his academy coach following his move to the senior academy setup where he will now be training with the first team.

“Josh unfortunately had to contend with a couple of injuries last season, so we didn’t see as much of him in the Academy League as we’d have liked, but the considerable impact he made on the pitch when he played proved to us that he has what it takes to make the step up,” said Parkin, who coaches Saints’ Under-18s side.

His ball-carrying ability is amongst the very best we’ve seen at Under-18s level, and he still has a huge amount of potential thanks to his natural power and speed. Josh has some work to do on the technical side of his game, but he certainly won’t lack the work ethic to develop himself at Saints around studying full-time for a degree in Loughborough.

We must pass our appreciation to Josh’s teachers from both Stowe and Rugby schools – Mr Seely, Mr Pointon and Mr Bayly – who supported him so well. And huge thanks must also go to Josh’s mother, Millicent, and his wider family who have encouraged him to achieve his goals here at Saints,” the coach added.

Odera, who coached Josh at U9, U11 and U13, told the Nation they would like to watch more of the youngster, who turns 19 on October 3, with the intention of including him in the Kenya Simbas squad in future.

"I called him to the national under-20 team in 2020 which unfortunately was disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. We would like to watch him because he is playing at No.8 which is an area we are trying to strengthen," the Simbas head coach is quoted. 

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