Super League side Vihiga United have recruited nine new players to bolster the club ahead of the new season.
The Vihiga County sponsored club has also dropped eight players and lost four including their Captain who have joined other teams.
The Club’s coach Edward Manoah said that the club has signed Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Leonard Basky Otieno and Oserian custodian Frankline Mwenda.
He added that he had strengthened the defence by bringing in Moffat Liuva and Zablon Khaemba who are former student of Muhudu and Ebwali Secondary School respectively.
“We have also signed Derrick Mwanzi, a left back from Western Stima,” Manoah said.
Former AFC Leopards captain Martin Imbalabala has also signed with the club alongside Jacob Atinda who has made a comeback to the club after a one-year stint at Palos FC in Kisumu and Kennedy Omunyinyi from Shabana FC.
The coach added that the club was still in search of a top striker adding that soon they will bag a player who will bring the club’s goal drought they witnessed last season to a halt.
“We have a top striker on our radar and we will be unveiling him soon,” said the former Ingwe coach.
He added that the new players were fielded during two build-up matches against Kakamega Homeboyz and Muhoroni Youth FC.
Homeboyz beat United 1-0 while Muhoroni settled for a one all draw during the two friendly matches played separately at Kidundu stadium last week.
“The new players were tested during our two build up matches and they are going to add value to the team and boost our quest for Premier League promotion,” said Manaoh.
The club that finished sixth last season has lost their captain George Odiwour who has joined Homeboyz and the team’s top scorer in the league Chris Isabwa who moved to Sharks. Isabwa has also earned a call up to Harambee Stars.
Other players who left the club for greener pastures include goalkeeper Geoffrey Kutwa and striker Joseph Okumu who joined KCB.
Players who were dropped include Nicholas Odhiambo, Ramadhani Mwalimu, Milton Ayiro, William Andati, Vincent Wanda, Mark Ekhuya, Ugandan pair of Allan Kizza and Arthur SSemanzi.
Homeboyz have also recalled their five players who were at United on loan. They include Robert Indimuli, Goalkeeper Ali Kesi, Elly Labodei, Edwin Mwanzi and Ryon Shikanda.
Vihiga United’s full squad include
Goalkeepers
Caleb Wamalwa, Leonard Basky Otieno and Frankline Mwenda.
Defenders
Zablon Khaemba, Moffat Liuva, David Kavaji, Benard Ochieng, Johnson Muyesu, Edwin Mukoya, Derrick Mwanzi and Dennis Ombeva.
Midfielders
Martin Imbalabala, Jacob Atinda, Patrick Okulo, Kennedy Omunyinyi, Clyde Senaji and Kevin Muhanji.
Wingers
Geoffrey Ayiro, Kevin Mugone, Bruno Serunkuma, Christopher Masinza, John Ouma, Gilbert Munai, Nelson Asena and Aquinas Alufwani.
Strikers
Amos Kigadi and Dennis Lugalia.