Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo has officially announced the signing of Kenyan attacking midfielder Aldrine Kibet on a four-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2029.

Kibet, one of Kenya’s most promising young footballers, will join the club’s reserve team, Celta Fortuna, also known as Celta B or Canteira Celeste, where he is expected to continue his development and push for a place in the senior squad.

The 18-year-old caught the attention of Celta Vigo scouts after an impressive showing with Kenya’s U20 national team, where he scored four goals in five appearances. His creativity, vision, and eye for goal have earned him praise as a rising talent in East African football.

“Celta Vigo is proud to welcome Aldrine Kibet to the Canteira Celeste,” the club announced on its website on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

 “Celta signs Aldrine Kibet, an 18-year-old attacking winger, who joins until 2029. The player arrives free and will have a Celta Youth player card, although he will initially join Celta Fortuna… Welcome, Aldrine!”

Kibet’s journey

The Ksh 840 million deal represents a major step for Kenyan footballers looking to break into European leagues.

Kibet now becomes one of the few Kenyan players currently signed to a European top-flight club’s system and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of stars like Michael Olunga and Victor Wanyama.

His journey begins with Celta Fortuna, who compete in the Spanish third tier. If he continues to impress, a first-team debut in La Liga could soon be within reach.

Kibet’s move has been hailed by fans and local coaches as a huge milestone for the country’s youth football development.

Kibet’s football journey began at St. Anthony’s Boys High School in Kitale, where he captained the team to a national championship title at the 2023 KSSSA games. He was named MVP and top scorer, with a staggering 25 goals and 27 assists, a standout performance that marked him as one of Kenya’s brightest prospects.

After the tournament, and under the Talanta Hela initiative launched by then Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, Kibet earned a move to Nastic Sports Academy in Spain, which laid the foundation for this major career leap.

His move to Celta Vigo represents a massive step not only for the player but also for Kenyan youth football, proving that structured talent development can lead to top-tier opportunities.