Peter Opiyo Odhiambo, famously known as Pinchez, is now in the ranks of Nairobi City Stars.
Pinchez completed his move to the second-tier table toppers on Wednesday after signing a one-and-a-half-year deal.
Till the confirmation Pinchez – the 2019 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) midfielder of the year and runners-up Player of the year that same season – had been shaping up with the Kawangware based club since mid-November 2019.
City Stars Bosnian head coach Sanjin Alagic, a great admirer of the master passer since he first appeared for training, said;
“When he first showed up for training I said this is the one I want. His qualities are really unique; calm, sure on the ball and a great passer with super vision”
“But then I was told we was contracted elsewhere, and I could only get him once he ends his engagement with an Easter Europe team. I had to be patient till this January window, and I am glad we got him.” he added
On his part Opiyo, capped 34 times for Kenya between 2010 and 2014, said;
“I have been following City Stars steady progress this season and when I was invited to train I was instantly attracted by their approach, it was very professional,”
“Joining the club was an easy decision to make as, seven weeks since I joined them in training, I am very familiar with their style and all players currently in their ranks.”
In August 2019 Opiyo was snapped up by Turkmenistan top tier side FC Altyn Asyr on a one-year-deal. But failure to acquire a VISA to the nation and consequently a work permit left him with no option but to issue a two-week termination notice in mid-November after which he called off his engagement with the club in early December to relegate back to a free agent.
Locally Opiyo was in the books of Thika United from 2008 for three years. Within that time frame he had a two year loan stint with Gor Mahia and a team in Malaysia. He later turned out for Tusker and AFC Leopards in 2012 and 2013.
Beyond the local turf, Pinchez has been in the ranks of Finnish top-flight side FF Jaro (2014-2016), Qatari’s Al-Markhiya (2016-2017) and another Finnish side SJK in 2018.
In joining City Stars, Opiyo hands coach Sanjin options in defensive as well as central mid. Arrival of an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from Turkmenistan’s Federation will dictate his debut date.