Former Kenya Captain, Victor Wanyama, Quits International Football

Former Kenya national team captain, midfielder Victor Wanyama has retired from international football after a pioneering 19-year career that saw him become the first Kenyan ever to score in the UEFA Champions League.

Wanyama made the announcement in a heartfelt message on his X handle saying he had lived his dream and thanking those who supported him throughout his journey.

“Today I announce my retirement from football. Four different countries. Six different clubs. A boy from Muthurwa with a big dream, carrying a nation’s pride every time I stepped onto the pitch.

“To my family, friends, agent, the fans, and the coaching staff that helped me throughout my career. Thank you for walking this journey with me.

“I now take my next step into coaching where I will be completing my UEFA A License this year,” he wrote.

Wanyama scored against Barcelona for Celtic

Wanyama became the first-ever Kenyan player to score in the Champions League when he scored the first goal in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2012.

In 2013, Wanyama moved to Premier League club Southampton for £12.5 million, making him the most expensive player sold by a Scottish club at the time, surpassing the £9.5 million Russian club Spartak Moscow paid for Aiden McGeady in 2010.

In summer 2016, he moved to Southampton’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur where he stayed until March 2020, when he signed with Major League Soccer club Montreal Impact.

In March 2025, Wanyama returned to Scotland to play for Dunfermline Athletic under his former Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

At Celtic, where he joined after signing a five-year deal, Wanyama made his Celtic league debut in a 1-0 loss to St Johnstone on 21 August 2011. He played in central defence rather than his favoured central midfield role.

He came on as a late substitute in a 4-0 win over Motherwell, and played for the whole second half in a 2-0 League Cup win over Ross County. In 2011, he started in Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Italian team Udinese in the Europa League.

This was his first European match for the club. On December 10, 2011, Wanyama scored his first goal for Celtic in a 1–0 win over Hearts at Celtic Park, a tremendous 25-yard strike which hit the top corner.

His performances during December earned him the Scottish Premier League young player of the month award. He scored his second Celtic goal in January 2012 in a 3-0 win against Dunfermline at East End Park.

Wanyama scored in Celtic’s 2-1 win against Dundee United at Celtic Park and in the 4–0 victory against Hearts at Tynecastle.

Wanyama debuted for Kenya at just 15

At Spurs, Wanyama is remembered for his rocket of an equaliser in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool in 2018, which was voted the Premier League Goal of the Month.

At CF Montreal under Thierry Henry, the midfielder captained his side to a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC in the 2021 Canadian Championship final. In October 2022, Wanyama initially announced he would not renew his contract with CF Montreal at the end of the season.

However, in January 2023, he was officially re-signed by the Canadian club, signing a new two-year contract. After CF Montreal, Wanyama joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on a short-term deal until the end of the season, reuniting with his former Celtic manager and new Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon.

Three days later, he made his debut in a 3-0 loss against Ayr United where he was sent off in the 84th minute for a handball offence.

Having made his debut for the Kenyan national team in May 2007, aged just 15, in a friendly against Nigeria, Wanyama went on to play in all six of Kenya’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

He became the captain of the Harambee Stars in 2013, and represented Kenya at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt. Tottenham took to their official social media platform to celebrate Wanyama, praising his time at the club and wishing him all the best in retirement.

“We had Victor Wanyama, and he was fantastic. We enjoyed every moment. Wishing you all the very best in your retirement, Victor. Thank you for the memories,” read the statement from the Premier League club.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Mohammed Hussein said, “Congratulations Victor Wanyama on your remarkable career. As you hang up your boots, we celebrate your illustrious career marked by resilience, dedication, patience, and passion for the sport.

“Your journey, from Kenya to Europe, your skills and leadership on and off the pitch will continue inspiring future generations and will be remembered for years to come. Wishing you a happy retirement and a fulfilling next chapter.”

Wanyama earned over 60 caps for Harambee Stars since making his international debut in May 2007 at age 15.