All you need to know about Harambee Stars newbie Zak Vyner

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All you need to know about Harambee Stars newbie Zak Vyner

Monday 03rd June, 2024 11:56 AM| By Collins Amanga

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Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has included a new face, Zak Vyner, in the squad for the World Cup Qualifiers.

Vyner, whose full name is Zachary George Onyego Vyner, is an English-born Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bristol City.

Harambee Stars defender

Vyner attended Beechen Cliff School alongside fellow Bristol City academy graduate Max O’Leary. Vyner made his Championship debut for Bristol City on February 10, 2016, in a 2–0 victory against Milton Keynes Dons.

Zak Vyner training with Harambee Stars in Malawi. PHOTO/@Harambee__Stars

He scored his first goal for Plymouth Argyle on February 10, 2018, in a 2–1 away victory against Shrewsbury Town.

Vyner’s career includes several loan spells: Accrington Stanley, Rotherham United, Plymouth Argyle and Aberdeen

On July 2, 2018, Vyner agreed to a season-long loan with Championship club Rotherham United. He later moved to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen on loan in August 2019.

On March 19, 2023, Vyner was named captain for the first time in a 2-0 loss to Swansea City. A product of the Bristol City Academy, Vyner joined the club as an Under-11 and has since made 143 appearances for his boyhood club.

He was a mainstay and top performer at the heart of the City defense throughout the 2022/23 campaign, earning recognition as Players’ Player of the Year at the club’s end-of-season awards.

In the 2023/24 season, Vyner made 37 appearances, starting 36 matches accumulating 3,154 minutes of playing time.. He completed 36 tackles, losing 22, and made 1472 passes in his own half and 505 in the opposition half.

Vyner played 45 Championship games last season for Bristol City, scored one goal and provided three assists. Since starting his career, he has played 242, clocking 20082 minutes. The defender has had 223 matches starts and scored five goals.

The 27-year-old joins Germany-based Tobias Knost, who will also be eyeing his first-ever appearance for Harambee Stars.

Vyner was part of the squad as Harambee Stars held their first training session in Malawi on Sunday, June 2, 2024, ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast.

Harambee Stars are set to play against Burundi on June 7 and Ivory Coast on June 11, 2024, in matchdays three and four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.