Kenya’s fast-rising 18-year-old midfielder Stanley Wilson has openly shared his dream of one day playing in the English Premier League for Arsenal.
Wilson made the revelation after his recent switch from Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks to Swedish topflight outfit AIK back in August 2024 in a three-and-a-half-year deal till December 2027.
Speaking after making his debut in AIK’s 0-1 victory over Varnamo, where he was introduced in the 46th minute, Wilson disclosed his ambitions in an interview with Swedish publication Fotboll Direkt.
“I have signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with AIK and my aim is to be successful during my time here. After the years, I hope to get good deals and my dream would be to play for Arsenal in the English Premier League,” the player revealed.
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Wilson made the headlines in September 2023 when he was called to the men’s national football team, Harambee Stars, after playing just two matches in the Kenyan top tier following his move from National Super League side Darajani Gogo and when he was still 17.
He sat on the bench on 12 September 2023 when Kenya lost 0-1 against South Sudan in a friendly played at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Kenya.
He was also a substitute against Zambia and Zimbabwe in the 2024 COSAFA Cup where he made his debut as the team lost 0-2 to Comoros on June 30.
Since then, the player continued to put in promising displays that led to being snapped up by the Swedish club who announced his signing one day after he turned 18.
Stanley Wilson’s unveiling at AIK
In January 2024, AIK invited Stanley Wilson to a trial with the club during the training camp in Marbella, Spain that was carried out between January 29 and February 10, 2024.
AIK played two friendlies during the camp against Serbian FK TSC Backa Topola (0–2) on February 3 and Norwegian Sarpsborg 08 FF (0–2) on February 9, and Wilson played the second half against Topola.
After returning from Marbella, Stanley trained with AIK for a while and on February 28, he also played a friendly match at Årsta IP with AIK’s P19 team against Hammarby’s ditto.
He started the game and scored a goal in the 3–1 victory before returning to Kenya as he waited to sign for the club.