Amos Wanjala: Kenyan Sensation Close to Sealing Dream Move to Spanish Club

Kenya Under-20 captain Amos Wanjala is reportedly on the verge of completing a long-awaited move to Spain, with a transfer to Segunda División side Unión Deportiva Almería believed to be close. The highly rated youngster is set to follow a similar path to fellow Kenyan prospect Aldrine Kibet, who recently secured a move to La Liga.

Wanjala, widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most promising young defenders, has been monitored by Almería for several months. Reports indicate that the Spanish club first took interest in him in September last year, and negotiations have since progressed steadily. According to sources close to his agent, former Kenyan international David Kenga, the deal could be finalised within days.

Almería’s interest intensified after closely tracking Wanjala’s development in Spain, where he has featured at both the Nàstic Academy and Athletic Club Torrellano CF. The club’s recruitment team has reportedly watched him extensively, impressed by his composure, leadership qualities, and defensive awareness despite his young age.

The move to Almería nearly happened earlier, but administrative hurdles delayed the process. Wanjala had previously trained with another Spanish side, Elche, in 2024, spending close to a month with the club. However, that potential transfer collapsed after the two parties failed to agree on contractual terms.

“Amos trained with Elche for a month, but we couldn’t finalise the contract terms,” Kenga revealed last September.

Leading Rising Stars at 2025 AFCON U20

Attention has now shifted fully to Almería, who remain keen to secure the Kenyan defender’s signature. Kenga confirmed that the club was prepared to complete the transfer before the last window closed, but delays in securing the necessary work permit in Spain forced a postponement.

“UD Almería have shown strong interest. They were ready to complete the deal before the window closed, but issues with documentation slowed things down. We are now reapplying and are confident the move will be completed in January 2026,” he explained.

Wanjala is part of a group of Kenyan youngsters who joined the Nàstic Academy in 2023 after impressing at the National Secondary School Games. The group included Aldrine Kibet and Alvin Kasavuli, with Kibet later earning a move to Celta Vigo while Kasavuli remains in Tarragona.

All three featured for Kenya at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 tournament, where Wanjala captained the Rising Stars despite their group-stage exit.

Almería currently sit third in Spain’s second tier with 36 points from 21 matches, just two behind leaders Racing Santander, as they push for a return to La Liga following relegation in 2024.