Harambee Stars Forward Secures Move to Cash-Rich Saudi League

Harambee Stars forward Eric Johana is the latest player to make a switch to Saudi Arabia after ending speculation over his future.

Johana has been a free agent after his contract with Romanian club UTA Urad ended in June but has not waited for long before landing a new home following his unveiling by Saudi second division side Al-Zulfi FC on Thursday.

Although the details of his deal were not revealed, the Kenyan star was excited as he donned the club’s shirt with a clip of his unveiling posted on social media.

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Johana joins the club after ATA Urad took a chance on him in October 2023, having stayed for months without a club, but his eight goals and 10 assists in 65 matches were not sufficient to earn him a contract extension.

This is the seventh club abroad for the former Mathare United star, who has also played in Thailand and Sweden, and he will be hoping to make it a success.

Al-Zulfi are looking forward to a change in fortunes this season after finishing ninth last term although a push for promotion to the Saudi Pro League might be a stretch in 2025-26.

Johana joins the list of Kenyan players who have plied their trade in the cash-rich Saudi league in recent years after Johnstone Omurua and Masoud Juma who had spells at Abha and Al-Jabalain last year.

The 30-year-old will also be looking to play regularly to earn call-ups to coach Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars squad for future international assignments.