Harambee Stars midfielder joins Danish side Aalborg after nightmare US spell

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STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars midfielder joins Danish side Aalborg after nightmare US spell

Mark Kinyanjui 17:32 - 15.08.2023

Richard Odada has struggled for regular playing time in America after not being included in the club’s MLS roster due to a limit on the number of foreigners allowed to play in the league.

Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada has joined Danish second-tier side AAB Aalborg on loan from Major Soccer League club Philadelphia Union.

The terms of the deal involve a purchase option Aalborg can activate at the end of the loan, which makes sense considering the lanky midfielder has struggled for regular playing time in America after not being included in the club’s MLS roster due to a limit on the number of foreigners allowed to play in the league.

The physically-imposing player primarily operates as a shuttler in midfield, but can also sit in front of the defence. AaB's sporting director Ole Jan Kappmeier has revealed his delight at bringing Odada to the Danish club, describing him as an “excellent” addition to the squad.

“We have had an interest in Richard Odada for a long time, and we are happy that an agreement has now been reached with the Philadelphia Union,” Kappmeier told the club’s official website.

“Richard is a duel and main game strong player who has his primary strengths in the defensive, where he is good at protecting the defence, but at the same time he has a fine technical level on the ball, and we see him as an excellent addition to our squad.”

Odada is looking forward to kick starting his career in Denmark.

“I am happy to be in a historic club like AaB, and I will do my best to help the team have a good season. I've already seen that AaB has a beautiful stadium and some good training facilities, so I'm looking forward to getting started and working hard. 

"I am a defensive player who has often been placed in the central midfield, as a defensive midfielder, and my strength lies in capturing the ball and quickly distributing it forward to create turnovers. I also hope to be able to contribute to AaB,” Odada said.

Odada will wear the number 16 shirt at AaB.