Glowing tributes poured in from across the world for former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama following his announced retirement from professional football on Friday.
The 34-year-old defensive midfielder announced on his social media handles that he had hung his boots, bringing to an end a glittering career spanning two decades, which saw him play for top clubs in Kenya, Sweden, Belgium, Scotland, England and Canada.
Most notably, Wanyama, nicknamed “The Lion of Muthurwa” and “Big Vic” played for top English Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, drawing the admiration of Kenyans, Africans, and indeed the world of football.
Football clubs, former and current players, Kenyan government officials and fans sent messages of admiration and gratitude to the powerful midfielder, who represented Kenya from 2007 to 2020.
Scotland’s Celtic Football Club and Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, Canada’s CF Montreal, Belgian side Beerschot AC and Helsingborg in Sweden are the other teams that Wanyama played for abroad.
Locally, he turned out for JMJ Youth Academy, Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards.
Celtic said on X: “Everyone at the club sends our very best wishes to Victor Wanyama following his retirement.”
“We had @VictorWanyama and he was nice. We enjoyed it. Wishing you all the very best in your retirement, Victor. Thanks for the memories,”
“Wishing you well in retirement, Victor,” stated Southampton.
Major League Soccer (MLS) team CF Montreal posted: “Happy retirement Victor and congrats on an amazing career.”
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga, who played alongside Big Vic for a decade stated: “Fantastic career. Inspirational. Legend. All the best in your next chapter.”
Former Argentine footballer Erik Lamela, who played with Wanyama at Tottenham posted on Instagram: “I wish you all the best in your future!It was a pleasure to share a field with you.”
Former ODM party leader the late Raila Odinga receiving a jersey from Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama in Nairobi on June 19, 2018.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“I wish you all the best in retirement Victor, it was a pleasure being in the same team as you. Amazing player and even better person,” former England player Rickie Lambert, who also played with Wanyama at Southampton said.
Scottish footballer Anthony Paul Watt who played with Wanyama at Celtic said: “Pleasure to play some games alongside you and watch the best player in the league do his thing. After that was even better …What a career mate.”
Hussein Mohammed, the Football Kenya Federation president, said: “Congratulations Victor Wanyama on your remarkable career, as you hang up your boots we celebrate your illustrious career marked by resilience, dedication, patience, and passion for the sport. Your journey, from Kenya to Europe, your skills and leadership on and off the pitch will continue inspiring future generations and will be remembered for years to come. Wishing you a happy retirement and a fulfilling next chapter.”
“My captain, it was a pleasure. Enjoy the future and all the best @VictorWanyama,” Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony “Teddy” Akumu wrote on Instagram.
PHOTO | GRAHAM STUART Celtic's Victor Wanyama celebrates scoring in a past match. Wanyama was on target for reigning Scottish champions Celtic as they beat Dundee 2-0 on September 22, 2012.
Harambee Stars midfielder Johana Eric, posted on the same platform: “What a career thank you captain. Happy to have shared this with you. All the very best @victorwanyama.”
Manoah Esipisu, the former High Commissioner for Kenya to the United Kingdom, said: “All the very best in your next adventure. Yours was a standout career.”
State Department for Diaspora Affairs Kenya posted: “A true Kenyan diasporian who flew our national flag high. Congratulations for a stellar career in football @VictorWanyama. Happy retirement champe.”
“Bravo for being a true patriotic Kenyan,” read a post on the X handle of the Government Spokesperson of Kenya.
Kenyan musician Hubert Mbuku, who is popularly known by his stage name Nonini said: “Legend forever!”
