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Harambee Stars and Al-Duhail striker Michael Olunga has been nominated for the Middle East Player of the Year Award in the upcoming Globe Soccer Awards.

His nomination places him alongside football luminaries such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Salem Al-Dawsari, Mourad Batna, Mohamed El Shenawy, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Odion Ighalo, Ali Mabkhout, Riyad Mahrez, Alejandro Romero, and Talisca.

Michael Olunga get GSA nomination

The Globe Soccer Awards, organized by the European Association of Player’s Agents (EFAA) and presented by Globe Soccer, have been a significant event since its inception in 2009.

Held annually in Dubai, the awards ceremony brings together key figures in the football world, including representatives from FIFA, UEFA, major clubs, and managers, fostering discussions on football-related matters and the transfer market.

Olunga’s nomination comes after impressive performances, in the Qatar Stars League, where he scored 22 goals in the previous season and has already netted eight goals in the current season.

The forward’s journey in football began with the Liberty Sports Academy in the Nairobi County League, where he netted 32 goals in the 2012 season.

He joined Kenyan Premier League side Tusker on a one-year loan deal from Liberty in 2012, followed by loan spells at Thika United and a successful stint with Gor Mahia, helping them secure their 15th league title unbeaten.

Olunga then earned him a move to Swedish side Djurgårdens IF in 2016, where he impressed with a series of impactful performances.

Michael Olunga hattrick

In 2017, Olunga ventured into Chinese football with Guizhou Zhicheng before making a mark in La Liga with Girona FC, where he achieved a historic hat-trick in his debut.

Subsequently, he joined Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol, finishing as the top scorer in the 2020 J1 League with 28 goals, claiming the Golden Boot and the J-League 2020 MVP, a historic achievement for an African player.

In January 2021, Olunga made a move to Qatar Stars League champions Al-Duhail, signing a three-season contract.

His time with Al-Duhail has been remarkable, culminating in winning the 2022–23 Qatar Stars League title, where he played a pivotal role by scoring four goals in a 5-2 victory over Al-Shamal.