Victor Wanyama has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34, bringing an end to an 18-year career in which he became a historic figure for his country.

The former captain of the Kenya national team was the first Kenyan footballer to play in the Premier League, marking a milestone for African football. In total, he earned 64 caps for the national team, known as the Harambee Stars.

“I announce my retirement from football,” Wanyama wrote on his X account. “Four different countries, six different clubs, a boy from Muthurwa (a district in Nairobi) with a big dream, carrying the pride of a nation every time I stepped onto the pitch,” he added in his farewell message.

During his club career, Wanyama played for several notable European teams. In 2013, he signed for Southampton FC for €14 million, where he made 85 appearances and scored four goals. He later moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2016 for €12 million, establishing himself as a strong defensive midfielder at the top level.

Before his time in England, he also played for Celtic FC, where he first made his mark in European football. More recently, he had a spell in Major League Soccer with CF Montréal before returning to Scottish football in 2025 with Dunfermline Athletic FC, which became his final professional team.

On the international stage, Wanyama captained the Kenyan national team and retired from international duty in September 2021 after not being called up for the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.

After hanging up his boots, the former midfielder already has his next step planned: a coaching career. He stated that he is working toward completing his UEFA A coaching license this year, aiming to remain involved in football from the sidelines.

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