![Kenya U20 midfielder Aldrine Kibet is now a Celta Vigo player [Canteira Celeste]](https://jambobet.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Kenya-U20-midfielder-Aldrine-Kibet-is-now-a-Celta-Vigo-player-Canteira-Celeste.jpg "Kenya U20 midfielder Aldrine Kibet is now a Celta Vigo player [Canteira Celeste]")
Kenyan football sensation Aldrine Kibet has officially completed his dream move to Spain, signing a four-year contract with LaLiga club Celta Vigo. The highly rated 18-year-old midfielder will initially feature for Celta Fortuna, the club’s reserve team, as he begins his European journey.
Kibet joins Celta on a free transfer and is expected to stay with the club until 2029, marking a major milestone in his young but already impressive career. His arrival was confirmed by the club in an official statement, welcoming him as a player with “speed, ball skills, and scoring instinct” — qualities that made him stand out during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The move comes after Kibet underwent medical examinations in Vigo, before finalizing his switch from Nastic Sports Academy, where he had been developing his craft since leaving Kenya in 2023.
“International with Kenya, the young African talent lands in Vigo after standing out in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The club is betting on his projection and quality to strengthen Fredi Álvarez’s team. Welcome, Aldrine!” read part of the statement from Celta Vigo.
From Kitale to LaLiga
Born in 2007, Kibet’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He first captured national attention at the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two Games, representing St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale. His exceptional performances earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and set him on the path to a European adventure.
Later that year, Kibet moved to Spain alongside Amos Wanjala, captain of the Kenya U20 side, joining Nastic Sports Academy. The move exposed him to professional football training in Europe while continuing his academic studies — a journey that prepared him for this LaLiga opportunity.
@aldrineKibet10 pic.twitter.com/DZv5MppPnR
— Canteira Celeste (@CanteiraCeleste) July 16, 2025
Rapid Rise with Kenya’s National Teams
Kibet’s talent didn’t go unnoticed on the international stage. In December 2023, he was called up to the Kenya U18 team for the CECAFA U18 Championships, a tournament where he impressed once again.
His progression continued into 2024 when he featured prominently for the Kenya U20 national team (Rising Stars). Kibet played a pivotal role in Kenya’s historic qualification for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring five goals in the qualifiers, cementing his status as one of the country’s brightest prospects.
His standout year was crowned when he won the Sports Personality of the Month award in August 2024, further highlighting his growing profile in Kenyan football circles.
Kenya is in the house pic.twitter.com/NqNhaFh7u2
— Canteira Celeste (@CanteiraCeleste) July 16, 2025
Following in the Footsteps of Kenyan Legends
With his move to Celta Vigo, Kibet is now poised to become the third Kenyan player to feature in LaLiga, following in the footsteps of national heroes McDonald Mariga and Michael Olunga.
Mariga made history when he joined Real Sociedad on loan from Inter Milan during the 2011-2012 season, becoming the first Kenyan to play in Spain’s top-flight. Years later, Olunga featured for Girona FC in 2017-2018, on loan from Guizhou Zhicheng, making a memorable impact with a historic hat-trick.
Now, Kibet has the chance to carve his own legacy in Spanish football, with many in Kenya hoping he will one day feature for Celta Vigo’s first team in LaLiga.
A Move That Signals a Bright Future
While he will start his journey with Celta Fortuna, Celta’s confidence in Kibet’s ability suggests it won’t be long before he earns a shot at the senior squad. The four-year deal underlines the faith the Spanish club has in his talent and potential growth.
This move also highlights the increasing visibility of young Kenyan talents on the global stage — a testament to the progress of grassroots football and youth development structures back home.
Aldrine Kibet’s story is one of passion, hard work, and the pursuit of a dream — a journey that’s only just beginning but already inspiring many aspiring footballers across Africa.
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