Rooney Onyango: Ex-Gor Mahia defender seals transfer to Sogndal Fotball

Photo Credit - Sogndal Fotball.

Former Gor Mahia defender Rooney Onyango has signed a contract with Norwegian club Sogndal Fotball until 2027.

He will continue wearing jersey number 88, just as he did at Gor Mahia, as a tribute to his late father, as both were born on August 8.

A statement from the club said: “Sogndal Fotball and Gor Mahia FC have agreed on a transfer for defender Rooney Onyango Otieno, born 8 August 2001. The agreement extends until the 2027 season.”

The statement continued: “Onyango is a Kenyan right-back, who plays for the Kenyan national team. He has previously played for Wazito FC and Gor Mahia, both of which are located in his home country Kenya. Gor Mahia plays in the Kenyan Premier League, and is one of the best teams in the country. Rooney has won the league and the Community shield in addition to playing in the African Champions League for his former club. All the best club teams in Africa meet here.

At the end of February, after this year's training camp, Rooney was on a trial match in Sogndal. He sat on the bench against Lyn, started against Hødd, was in Ålesund and started again in the match against Stabæk. Through several weeks of training and friendly matches he did his job well, but in mid-March he traveled to the national team.

There he played 2x 90 minutes in the World Cup qualifiers for Kenya. The match against Gambia ended 3-3, and Rooney was named the best player of the match, while there was a 2-1 defeat against Aubameyang and Gabon. Now he is back in Sogndal, and we can finally present him as our newest signing.”

Speaking on signing the deal, Onyango said: “It is a cold place, but I like Sogndal a lot. It is quiet and nice here, and it is easy to focus on the football. I come from the capital of Kenya, where there are several million people, so it is definitely something new.”

On why he choose jersey number 88, he said: “I chose to play with the number 88 to honor my father after he passed away. I play for him, and it feels good to have him with me on the field. I'm sure he's proud of me today.”