Joseph Okumu had a multitude of offers on the table during the summer transfer window, but he made a deliberate choice in favor of the French league, and his agent, Omar Banza, has provided insight into the reasons behind this decision.
The defender for Stade de Reims, Joseph Okumu, believed that the French league offered him the most conducive environment to continue his development, following previous stints in Sweden and Belgium.
In a significant move, Okumu switched to Ligue 1 during the summer transfer window after spending two years at Belgian top-flight club KAA Gent. The transfer was valued at €12 million, marking him as the second Kenyan player to ply his trade in the French league, following in the footsteps of Dennis Oliech.
Despite rumors of interest from numerous prominent European clubs, including Premier League giants Arsenal and Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, Okumu ultimately opted for a move to France.
Joseph Okumu’s agent, Omar Banza, revealed, “His interest from Reims was discussed since 2022. We aim to secure the best project for our client, and development at every stage is crucial in his career. He is a top athlete who can compete at any level. While bids came in from various places, we prioritize the player’s project, so we wanted to place more emphasis on that.”
Since joining France, Okumu has become a pivotal member of Will Still’s squad, starting nine out of the ten matches he has been available for. His impressive performances have earned him a spot in the Ligue 1 team of the month for October.
With his continued development, it seems like only a matter of time before he makes a move to a larger club. Banza stated, “Playing in France is a significant step forward. Although it’s not the ultimate destination yet, we continue to dream.”
Banza also expressed his satisfaction with having played a role in the swift negotiations for the transfer, which was completed in less than a week between Gent and Reims. He said, “We have been involved in numerous projects. To us, it was a transfer like any of the 24 we handled this summer. Everything went smoothly, but personally, as a Kenyan, it was a significant step forward, and I believe it was the same for him.”
Banza and Okumu first teamed up when the former Chemelil Sugar defender moved to Free State Stars in South Africa in 2016. After a brief stint, Okumu signed with AFC Ann Arbor in the US before making the move to the Utah-based Real Monarchs.
Okumu ventured to Europe in 2019, joining Swedish top-flight club IF Elfsborg. After two impressive years there, he made the switch to Gent in June 2021 in a deal worth €3.5 million.
