Asike returns to Tusker on a short term deal

Kenyan international Eugene Asike has returned to his former club Tusker FC on a short term deal expected to kick off in the current FKF Premier League season, the club confirmed on Friday afternoon.

The move by the 2020/2021 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) Defender of the Year sees him get back to the team he spent six years at, before announcing his exit to Swedish third tier side IF Karlstad Fotboll in April 2022.

Speaking to the club media on his return, Asike said; “It is a good feeling. Though there are new faces in the team (still getting to know them), it is always a great feeling being back home.”

Asked about what necessitated his return, the former club captain said that there were “a little bit of contractual issues (with IF Karlstad) and I decided that as I sort that out, I can still get some game time here.”

Following a fairly successful 2020-21 season - one that ended up in a 12th Kenya Premier League title for Tusker- it was announced that Asike had signed a one and a half year deal with the aforementioned Swedish outfit, and in his farewell message to The Brewers, mentioned that his ambition was to move up to the country’s top tier sides.

The central defender notably after the season end in Sweden December last year, made a trip back to Ruaraka where he trained with his teammates in a bid to remain fit.

It remains unclear when and if he will return to his ‘overseas club’, but commenting on the team this season, the two-time Kenya Premier League champion said; “We have new faces and a young team. I believe that with the experience I have, I can bring in a positive impact and share my experiences with the team and hopefully help the team gather positive results as the season goes on.

“I can see young players, energetic, have the hunger in them and want to prove a point, which is good. As Tusker we want to challenge for every silverware available. That motivates us to work even harder.”

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Asike’s debut for IF Karlstad came three weeks after his signing - 13 May 2022 - in a 2-2 draw against Vasalund, and made his first start as his team fell by a solitary goal to Sylvia in a league match on 15 May 2022.

Tusker, after a brilliant start to the season, will be hoping to pick another win as they welcome Kariobangi Sharks in Week 2 of the FKF Premier League on Saturday 2 September at the Ruaraka Grounds.