Wanyama retires at 34, closing a landmark career for Kenyan football

Victor Wanyama, the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League and long considered one of the country’s greatest footballers, has announced his retirement at 34. The midfielder’s career began nearly twenty years ago and took him from Celtic to Southampton in 2013 for £12.5 million, where he made 85 appearances before joining Tottenham three years later.

In a message posted on X, Wanyama reflected on his journey “from Muthurwa with a big dream,” proud of carrying Kenya’s hopes on the international stage. He earned 64 caps before stepping down as national‑team captain in 2021 and later declined a recall for the 2025 African Nations Championships. After leaving MLS side Montreal Impact, he returned briefly to Scotland in March 2025 with Dunfermline Athletic. His retirement closes the chapter on a pioneering career that opened doors for Kenyan players abroad and cemented his status as one of Africa’s most respected midfielders.