Liverpool and Arsenal scouts eye young Origi
PHOTO | DENIS CHARLET Lille's Kenyan-Belgian forward Divock Origi (right) is congratulated by his teammate Lille's French midfielder Jonathan Delaplace after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lille (LOSC) and Valenciennes (VA) on April 12, 2014 at the Grand Stade in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, outside Lille, northern France.
What you need to know:
- Origi, 18, who turns out for French Ligue 1 side Lille, is the son of former Kenya international striker Mike Okoth. The youngster has been at the French club since May 2010 and has scored five league goals this season.
- He has so far made 36 appearances for the club scoring six goals, five of which have come this term.
- Besides Okoth and Oduor, the other well-known football playing member of the larger Origi family is Harambee Stars first-choice goalkeeper, Arnold Origi, who turns out for Norwegian top side Lillestrom. The custodian is Divock’s cousin.
Divock Origi, a Kenyan-Belgian, has become the object of great interest from English Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail.
According to the British newspaper, representatives from the two clubs are monitoring the Belgian Under-21 player with a view to signing him up.
Origi, 18, who turns out for French Ligue 1 side Lille, is the son of former Kenya international striker Mike Okoth. The youngster has been at the French club since May 2010 and has scored five league goals this season.
Arsenal’s failure to challenge for the title this season has largely been attributed to lack of fire power and the young Origi looks like a viable option for manager Arsene Wenger who has come under stinging criticism from club fans.
Origi, who hails from a football family, joined Lille four years ago from Belgian side Racing Genk initially turning out for the junior side before breaking into the senior team at the beginning of last season.
SCORED FIVE GOALS
He has so far made 36 appearances for the club scoring six goals, five of which have come this term.
Though not a regular starter in Rene Girrard’s team, where he has had to compete for a starting role with established Cote d’Ivoire international Salomon Kalou, his composure in front of goal has impressed both Wenger and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers who are reportedly monitoring him.
Born and raised in Belgium, where his father Mike Okoth spent most of his professional playing career in, the teenager is eligible to play either for Kenya or Belgium.
Last year, Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche made attempts to draft him into his squad but the youngster declined the overtures.
His uncle Austin Oduor, a former Gor Mahia great at the time told the Daily Nation Sport that the youngster should not be hurried into making up his mind on whether or not to accept a national team call up.
IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE
On Wednesday, Oduor said although he is treating the reports linking his nephew with the two English clubs as mere speculation, the striker should not make a rush decision for a club move.
“Divock is a young boy who is still honing his skills at the professional stage. Everything has got its time,” said the former central defender who skippered Gor Mahia to victory in the Africa Cup Winners Cup (Mandela Cup) in 1987.
Origi has represented Belgium at all junior levels and his impressive performance in the French Ligue 1 has boosted his chances of being selected in the Belgian national team for the World Cup later this year in Brazil.
Besides Okoth and Oduor, the other well-known football playing member of the larger Origi family is Harambee Stars first-choice goalkeeper, Arnold Origi, who turns out for Norwegian top side Lillestrom. The custodian is Divock’s cousin.
