City Stars, JMJ Academy stand to benefit from Wanyama’s millions
PHOTO | FILE Victor Wanyama at home in Glasgow last season.
What you need to know:
- Each club entitled to about Sh8 million for role played in developing the player
Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi City Stars and JMJ Academy are set to reap big from Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama’s move to Southampton.
According to Fifa rules, clubs that nurture players during their “development phase” are entitled to a five per cent of 10 per cent of the total transfer fees whenever they change clubs.
The development fee is paid out until a player turns 23. Wanyama is currently 22.
The combative midfielder joined the English Premier League side from Scottish giants Celtic on a historic deal worth Sh1.7 billion (£12.5 million).
Though Wanyama at one time turned out for AFC Leopards for a short spell in 2007 before joining Swedish division one side Helsingborg (2007-2008), it remains unclear whether the two clubs will also be entitled to any money as they did not get a single share when the Harambee Stars skipper made the move from Germinal Beerschot to Celtic two years ago.
Played a crucial role
City Stars pocketed Sh0.5 million as development fee in the a transfer that cost Celtic Sh118.8 million (£900,000). City Stars and JMJ Academy will each be entitled to about Sh8 million (£60,000) in the latest deal. Wanyama turned out for JMJ Academy between 2006 – 2008 during the same time that he also turned out for Nairobi City Stars.
JMJ has over the years churned out many talented footballers. City Stars chairman Peter Jabuya said that they were looking towards getting their share of the pie once all the modalities have been worked out.
“Fifa laws are very clear. As one of the clubs that nurtured him, we are entitled to five per cent of the 10 per cent of the total transfer fee. This is because our club played a crucial part in his development and the name of our club is inscribed in his trade license.
“He is a player who has brought us honour and we are proud to be associated with him,” Jabuya said.
In London, Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Saturday that his club had beaten off interest from “a lot of European clubs” as well as competitors in the EPL to capture the combative midfielder.
