Kenya U20 midfielder Tyron Kariuki’s dream move to Croatia failed after his agent changed the terms of the initially agreed deal despite successful trials.
Kariuki clarified that the transfer fell through not due to an unsuccessful trial but because his agent altered the original agreement.
He is currently playing in the SportPesa League with KCB FC.
Kenya U20 and KCB midfielder Tyron Kariuki has opened up about how his agent’s cost him a dream move to Croatian top-flight club HNK Hajduk Split, despite impressing during trials with the side.
The former Rainbow FC midfielder shared how everything had been set for his move to Europe before things fell apart at the final stage.
“While at Rainbow FC towards the end of my time with them, I received an offer to go abroad that’s Croatia. My club did not have any issues with it, everyone was happy for me.
Coach Stanley Okumbi and the entire technical bench were so elated and positive about it. I went for the trials and they were successful. Everything went on well,” Kariuki revealed in an interview with TikiTaka.
How Tyron Kariuki’s dream move to Croatia fell through
The highly rated midfielder said that the move failed not because of his performance but due to issues off the pitch.
“Me not joining them was not because of playing or on-pitch issues it was something outside the pitch,” he added.
Kariuki was set to join Hajduk Split’s U21 side before gradually progressing to the senior team, which was then being managed by Italian legend Genaro Gattuso.
However, after a successful trial and agreement with the club’s management, the deal collapsed at the last minute.
“After the CECAFA tournament, I was to go back to Croatia in November to join the team, as agreed with the club’s management. But when the time to travel came, things went south.
I later found out that my agent had changed the agreed deal with the club at the last minute by coming up with new, outrageous demands. This made the club question why there was an abrupt change in the agreed amount,” Kariuki explained.
Following the failed move, the promising midfielder stayed out of competitive football for a while before joining SportPesa League side KCB FC. He says he has settled well at the club and is determined to make an impact.
“For the short time I have been here, they treat people well. The club has good structures, and everything is in order right from the top, our head coach is like a father to us. My goal is to win my first league title,” he said.
Kariuki now hopes to revive his career locally as he continues to develop under the guidance of Kenya’s most successful Coach Robert Matano.
