- Victor Wanyama joined Scottish side Dunfermline Athletic earlier this week.
- Wanyama has revealed that he could not resist the offer since it gave him an opportunity to once again work with his former coach Neil Lennon.
- Wanyama also explained the huge role that Lennon has played in his football career.
Kenyan footballer Victor Wanyama has disclosed the main reason for joining Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic on a short term contract.
Wanyama signed for the club that is embroiled in a relegation fight at the moment earlier this week.
Why Wanyama joined Dunfermline Athletic?
According to the former Harambee Stars captain, he made the decision because he has a strong bond with Dunfermline Athletic head coach Neil Lennon who he has worked with in the past while at Celtic.
“I got the call from Neil Lennon and the way he wanted me to come down and help, I couldn’t resist. I also spoke to the owner.
He is very ambitious and I decided to come down and have this challenge,” explained the experienced midfielder.
Wanyama is expected to help Dunfermline Athletic avoid relegation from the Scottish Championship.
The club, which has accumulated 27 points since the start of the 2024-25 season, currently occupies the ninth position in the standings.
Huge role Neil Lennon has played in Victor Wanyama’s career
Wanyama and Lennon started their relationship at Scottish giants Celtic FC where they managed to win a couple of trophies.
When asked how he reacted when he received the offer from Lennon to join Dunfermline Athletic, Wanyama stated that he knew straight way the latter meant business.
“You know, he is a bit of a serious guy and he has always been there for me, trying to help me also outside football and once I got that call, I knew he was serious and I couldn’t resist. He is somebody who has played a big role in my career,” he commented.
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The defensive midfielder added that Lennon taught him how to be a professional player outside and inside the pitch and in the process sharpened him to be the player he is today.
Victor Wanyama’s love for Scottish citizens
Wanyama further divulged that he loves playing football in Scotland because of the welcoming nature of the residents.
As stated by Wanyama, he wanted to return to Scotland because he always feels at home when in the country.
“Yeah, that was the plan, one of these days and it has happened now. I always love Scotland, Scottish people. You know, nice people, warm people, always welcoming and I couldn’t resist,” explained Wanyama.
Victor Wanyama’s age and family
Wanyama is expected to celebrate his 34th birthday on June 25. The player, who has had a stint with English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, was born in 1991 in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.
He hails from a sporting family where nearly all of his siblings earn a living from sports. Wanyama’s elder brother McDonald Mariga had a successful football career that saw him play for the likes of Inter Milan and FC Parma.
Mariga is remembered in world football for helping Inter Milan lift the coveted UEFA Champions League title in 2010 under the legendary coach Jose Mourinho.
Besides Mariga, Wanyama’s younger sister Mercy Wanyama is a professional basketball player who has made several appearances for the Kenya national team.
Victor Wanyama’s previous transfers
Wanyama is one of the most successful footballers in Kenyan history. He was the first player to play professional football in the Premier League.
Wanyama’s move to the Premier League came in 2013 when Southampton FC acquired his services from Celtic FC.
The player, who goes by the nickname, the “Lion of Muthurwa” went on to sign for Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 before moving to Canada to play for CF Montreal four years later.
At CF Montreal, Wanyama helped the club to lift the Canadian Championship in 2021 before parting ways with them in 2024.
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