AFC Leopards midfielder Austin Odhiambo has denied reports that he has signed a contract with Gor Mahia.
Leopards and Gor looked set for a legal battle after rumours emerged that the 20-year-old had agreed to terms with the Kenyan Premier League champions ahead of 2020/21 season.
However, no such dispute will arise as the young midfielder has made it clear that he has a running contract with Ingwe and is at the club to stay.
“I haven’t joined Gor Mahia. Those are just rumours. I am still under contract at AFC Leopards and therefore still their player. I urge the Ingwe fans to relax, I am still their player and I am looking forward to next season,” the youngster told the club’s TV.
Despite being happy with life at Leopards, Odhiambo revealed that he is looking forward to playing professional football in Europe in the near future.
“The facilities there (Europe) are good and I know I can really improve as a player and also my financial status will get better. I also know I stand a better chance of getting in the national team if I move abroad,” he said.
Earlier on, AFC Leopards president Dan Shikanda clarified the situation, stating Odhiambo is contracted to the club until December 2023, and the buy-out clause in the player’s contract only applies to foreign teams.
“Those are rumours from those who want to destabilise AFC Leopards, Austin [Odhiambo] is our player, he has a contract with us until December 2023, and in the clause, he cannot sign for a local team but can only be allowed to sign for a team outside the country,” said Shikanda as quoted by Goal Africa.
“No team as approached us for the player, not even Gor Mahia, not even the player coming to say he wants to leave, the player knows what clause he signed when he joined us from the youth team, so I don’t understand when people say he has left AFC.
“I want to assure our fans Odhiambo doesn’t have an exit clause for local teams so they should not be worried, we always talk to our players every day and they know, even Gor Mahia have not approached him, even Gor Mahia know the rules and they cannot move to bend them.”
Odhiambo was a star performer for Ingwe last season with plenty of clubs showing interest in the midfielder.
His partnership in the central midfield role with lethal striker Vincent Oburu made him shine following the departure of Whyvone Isuza who moved to money bags Wazito during the January transfer window.
