Kenya’s rising football sensation, Aldrine Kibet, has completed a dream move to Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo, marking a monumental milestone in his blossoming career.
According to media reports, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a deal worth €6 million (approximately Ksh 864 million), becoming one of the most valuable teenage football exports from Kenya.
Kibet’s transfer has triggered a wave of excitement across the country, with fans and leaders alike celebrating his success. Among them is Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, who lauded the move as a major step for both the player and Kenyan football.
“Kenyan wonderkid Aldrine Kibet has completed a €6 million transfer to Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo. The 18-year-old U20 star’s move marks a major milestone in his football journey, elevating him from local hero to a rising force on the global stage,” she wrote on social media.
Sports journalist Ole Teya noted the emotional impact of the transfer in Kibet’s hometown, saying, “Celta Vigo are on the verge of winning hearts in Baringo and Kitale. Kibet may have arrived in Kitale as just a student, but he’s now a local icon. His presence alone is enough to bring business to a standstill.”
Another fan, Levy Masika, added, “Congratulations, our star. Keep pushing.”
Aldrine Kibet rose to fame during the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Games in Kakamega, where he captained St. Anthony’s Boys High School—nicknamed the Solidarity Boys—to a national championship title.
He dominated the tournament, scoring 25 goals and providing 27 assists, feats that earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Following his stellar performance, Kibet moved to Spain’s Nàstic Sports Academy in September 2023 on a scholarship. The academy, affiliated with third-tier side Gimnàstic de Tarragona, is known for nurturing young talent and has served as Kibet’s launching pad to the top tier of Spanish football.
Kibet now joins Real Club Celta de Vigo, commonly known as Celta Vigo, a historic Spanish football club based in Galicia. Founded in 1923, the team—nicknamed Os Celestes (The Sky Blues)—plays its home matches at Estadio Abanca Balaídos, a 24,870-seater stadium in the coastal city of Vigo.
Celta Vigo competes in La Liga, Spain’s premier football division, and is admired for its technical style of play and strong community roots. The club enjoyed a successful 2024–2025 season, finishing seventh in the league and securing a spot in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League under head coach Claudio Giráldez.
While Celta has yet to win a major domestic trophy, the club has had memorable moments, including a top-four finish in 2002–03 and a Europa League semi-final run in 2016–17.
Kibet’s move is being viewed not just as a personal achievement but also as a breakthrough moment for Kenya’s youth football pipeline.
His rise—from the dusty fields of Trans Nzoia County to the elite grounds of Spanish football—signals what is possible for talented, disciplined players with the right opportunities.
As Kibet embarks on this next chapter in his career, Kenya watches with pride, hopeful that his journey will inspire a new generation of footballers.
