Rising Kenyan football star Aldrine Kibet has officially signed with Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo in a €6 million (Sh864 million) transfer, marking a monumental leap in his promising career.
His move has generated widespread excitement both at home and abroad.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris praised Kibet’s move, calling it a major step forward in his journey from a local football hero to a global talent.
“Kenyan wonderkid Aldrine Kibet has completed a €6 million transfer to Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo. The 18-year-old U20 star’s move marks a major milestone in his football journey, elevating him from local hero to a rising force on the global stage,” Passaris stated.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who made headlines while captaining St. Anthony’s Boys High School in Kitale to a national title, now becomes one of the few Kenyan players to secure a high-profile move to a top European league.
Kibet burst onto the national stage during the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) tournament, where he led St. Anthony’s to victory.
He emerged as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer, netting 25 goals and providing 27 assists.
Following his stellar performance, he moved to Spain in September 2023 to join Nàstic Sports Academy, the youth wing of Gimnàstic de Tarragona, a third-tier Spanish club.
His continued development at the academy attracted the attention of Celta Vigo scouts.
Celta Vigo, officially known as Real Club Celta de Vigo, is based in the city of Vigo, Galicia.
Founded in 1923 and nicknamed Os Celestes (The Sky Blues), Celta has built a strong fan base and identity, competing in Spain’s top division.
Although the club has never lifted La Liga or Copa del Rey trophies, it has had notable seasons including a fourth-place league finish in 2002–03 and a UEFA Europa League semi-final run in 2016–17.
In the 2024–25 season, Celta finished seventh in La Liga, earning a spot in the 2025–26 Europa League under head coach Claudio Giráldez.
Aldrine Kibet’s journey from Kitale to the bright lights of La Liga is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the growing talent emerging from Kenya’s grassroots football scene
