Tusker’s Were pens two-year deal with Zambia side Zesco
KPL/SJAK Top scorer Tusker Jesse Were (right) receives his Golden Boot Award from Sportpesa Ronald Karauri on December 9, 2015 during the Footballer Of the Year Awards Dinner Awards at the Safari Park Hotel. Zambian champions, Zesco United on Tuesday signed Were on a two-year deal. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Were becomes the third Kenyan player to join Zesco United in the last one year after Gor Mahia’s former players Anthony Akumu and David “Calabar” Owino.
- He is also the fourth Kenyan to move to the Zambian premier league following Jacob Keli’s move to Nkana FC this year.
- The lanky forward was the top scorer in the Kenyan Premier League with 22 goals last season.
- Were, who will earn around Sh7 million in Zambia over two years, is set to replace Zambia international Winston Kalengo in the team.
The Kenyan Premier League on Tuesday lost one of its talented players to the Zambian league following confirmation that Zesco United have signed up Tusker striker Jesse Were.
The Zambian champions on Tuesday announced on their website and social media pages that they had lured the Kenyan international to their base in Ndola on a two-year deal.
Were becomes the third Kenyan player to join Zesco United in the last one year after Gor Mahia’s former players Anthony Akumu and David “Calabar” Owino.
He is also the fourth Kenyan to move to the Zambian premier league following Jacob Keli’s move to Nkana FC this year.
His transfer is however subject to a medical examination which will be done this weekend.
When contacted, the former Mathare United striker, whose contract with Tusker FC formally expires on Thursday, said he was elated with the move.
“They (Zesco) are the club that wanted me the most. They are a serious institution with aspirations of conquering the continent. I am heading there knowing very well that this is a step in the right direction for my career,” the 26 year old said.
Zesco beat teams from Egypt, South Africa and Oman to Were’s signature.
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The lanky forward was the top scorer in the Kenyan Premier League with 22 goals last season.
Were, who will earn around Sh7 million in Zambia over two years, is set to replace Zambia international Winston Kalengo in the team.
Kalengo, who was also the top scorer in the Zambian premier league last season, has left Zesco for Congolese side AC Leopards.
Kalengo also scored when Zambia beat Kenya 2-1 in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match in Nairobi earlier this year.
“The offers our players are getting in Zambia are worth the salt. The Zambian league is more competitive and organised and these departures will give chances to upcoming players in the Kenyan league.
However, it is time Kenyan clubs thought of how to generate more revenue and pay players well,” George Bwana, a Kenyan football agent who engineered Were’s move to Zambia, said on Tuesday.
