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This is how Stanley Wilson earned himself a trial at AIK ahead of a potentially lucrative move to the 2018 Allsvenskan league champions.
It may now be well documented that Kenya U18 star Stanley Wilson is on trial with AIK, the 2018 Swedish Allsvenskan title winners, but some will be asking how the whole deal was arranged.
Wilson has become a breakout star this season, doing well for Kariobangi Sharks in the FKF Premier League after completing his move from Darajani Gogo in August, and was one of the standout players at the CECAFA U18 Championships that took place in Kisumu and Kakamega in December.
Now, Pulse Sports can authoritatively confirm how that deal was arranged, with Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat playing a key role in organising the move to trial at the club.
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“There is a Swedish agent, his name is Patrick Mork who is well connected to Kenya,” Firat told Pulse Sports.
Mork is credited with scouting a number of Kenyan internationals, such as Bonaventure Maruti and Paul Oyuga who played in Sweden.
The agent was among the many scouts that attended the CECAFA U18 Championships where he spotted Wilson in action for Kenya as they reached the finals before losing to Uganda last December and thereafter asked Firat for his opinion on the player.
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“Of course he was in contact with me and asked me about my opinion on Wilson. I hope he will pass the trial then we will see.”
Firat also arranged for former Nairobi City Stars midfielder Timothy 'Babu' Ouma to move to Sweden back in 2021, but Ouma did not need to undergo a trial as he had already made his debut for Kenya against Uganda.
However, AIK needed confirmation on Wilson because he does not have a senior international cap.
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“It is a different situation with Timothy because he played for the national team (prior to joining Elfsborg), so they were sure about him directly.”
Aside from Wilson, AIK has given chances to several Kenyan players. The club currently employs fellow Kenyans Collins Shichenje, formerly of AFC Leopards, and ex-Tusker striker Henry Meja.
Harambee Stars left-back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma also spent three years at the club before recently completing a move to Polish outfit Raków Częstochowa.
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Wilson has taken to the FKFPL like a duck to water since joining Kariobangi Sharks from Darajani Gogo earlier this month.
“The situation with Kenya and Sweden is nothing new. Lots of Kenyans have gotten chances to showcase their talents in Sweden and they have done a good job.”
During the national team break in September 2023, Wilson was called up to the Harambee Stars set up by Fırat and was an unused substitute in the side’s 1-0 loss to South Sudan at Kasarani.
AIK is currently in Marbella, Spain for their preseason camp and will return home to Stockholm again on Saturday 10 February 2024.
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Wilson will get to show his capabilities against FK TSC Backa Topola on Saturday before playing a second game in Sarpsborg 08 seven days later.
AIK Sporting Director Thomas Berntsen stated on the club's website how the club invited the 17-year-old to the trial matches.
“Stanley Wilson is a talented central midfielder who works hard, and AIK Football's scouting team saw him in Kenya a couple of months ago.
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07:03 - 02.11.2023
FKFPL Kariobangi Sharks coach William Muluya offers advice to Harambee Stars prodigy Stanley Wilson
Kariobangi Sharks have established a reputation for developing young players, with head coach William Muluya sending some advice to Stanley Wilson.
“He will travel with the team to Marbella so we can see him up close in our business,” said Berntsen, as quoted on the club’s website.
Follow our Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates.
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