Kenyan footballer Ryan Ogam was officially unveiled as the newest member of Wolfsberger AC in Austria, marking a significant milestone in his career. The Harambee Stars striker’s arrival at the Austrian Bundesliga side was met with extraordinary fanfare, which even took Wolfsberger officials by surprise. The Kenyan embassy in Austria played an instrumental role in ensuring that Ogam felt welcome and settled into his new environment, going above and beyond by greeting him at the airport and accompanying him throughout the signing process.
In a special gesture, the Kenyan ambassador to Austria, Maurice Makoloo, shared that this was the first time the club had been met by an embassy delegation during such an unveiling. The embassy team, alongside club officials, received Ogam warmly at Vienna Airport before escorting him to the club for the contract signing and unveiling ceremony.
Despite the long flight, Ogam remained composed and expressed his excitement for the new chapter of his life. At the embassy, the Deputy Head of Mission, Valerie Rugene, and other embassy staff, took the opportunity to remind Ogam that he would always have the embassy and the Kenyan community in Austria supporting him. Ogam, who was given the prestigious No. 11 jersey, expressed his determination to represent Kenya on this grand stage and acknowledged the responsibility that came with the move.
The reception has left a lasting impression on Wolfsberger AC, with club officials noting that the embassy’s involvement was a rare and unique gesture. Ogam’s first few days in Austria were marked by warm exchanges, with the club also encouraging Kenyans in Austria to rally behind the player in his pursuit of success.
Ogam has set his sights on making an immediate impact in the Austrian Bundesliga. He watched from the stands as his new team defeated LASK 1-0, moving to third place in the standings. The striker, who described the move as a dream come true, expressed excitement about the challenge ahead, and his ultimate goal is to integrate quickly into the team, score goals, and contribute to the club’s success. His debut match is eagerly anticipated on October 4 when Wolfsberger face off against Grazer AK, currently at the bottom of the league.
As the first Kenyan to join an Austrian Bundesliga club, Ogam is carrying not just his personal aspirations but the pride of an entire nation on his shoulders.
