Richard Odada: A Rising Star in Kenyan Football

Richard Odada, a young and talented Kenyan midfielder, is carving his path in the world of professional football. Let’s delve into his journey so far, both at the club and international levels.

Early Career and European Exposure (2018-2022):

• Odada started his youth career at Lasier Hill Academy before joining the Kenyan Premier League club Leopards in 2018. Despite being included in the matchday squad, he didn’t make any appearances.
• His impressive performances led to training opportunities with European giants like Red Star Belgrade, Voždovac (Serbia), Juventus, and Inter Milan (Italy).

Red Star Belgrade and Serbian Loan Spells (2019-2022):

• In 2019, Odada joined Red Star Belgrade after a successful trial. Initially assigned to the U-19 team, he was later loaned to Grafičar Beograd for senior experience.
• He spent two seasons (2019-2021) on loan at Grafičar Beograd, making 24 appearances and recording one assist in the Serbian First League.
• In 2021, he returned to Red Star and made his Serbian SuperLiga debut as a substitute. He also featured on loan at Metalac Gornji Milanovac for the 2021-2022 season, playing 27 games.

Philadelphia Union and Danish Loan (2022-Present):

• In August 2022, Odada signed with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union on a 2.5-year contract with an option for two more years.
• He was loaned to the Danish 1st Division club AaB in August 2023 for a season with a purchase option.

International Career (2016-Present):

• Odada has represented Kenya at both the youth and senior levels.
• He captained the Kenya U-20 national team in a 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifier.
• In September 2021, he made his senior debut for Kenya in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda. He has impressed with his performances, earning praise for his defensive midfield skills.
• As of November 2021, Odada has scored his first international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Looking Ahead:

Odada’s talent and dedication are evident. His loan move to AaB offers him valuable playing time in Europe. Whether he returns to Philadelphia Union or finds a permanent home in Europe, his future in professional football looks bright.