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Harambee Stars forward promoted to Real Sociedad's senior team ahead of pre-season
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 04.07.26. | 21:03
The club added that, as in previous years, a group of promising youngsters would be integrated into the first-team setup during preseason
Harambee Stars forward Job Ochieng has taken another significant step in his promising career after being included in Real Sociedad's senior squad ahead of the club's pre-season preparations for the 2026/27 campaign.
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The 23-year-old attacker, who has progressed through the ranks at Real Sociedad B (Sanse), is among 12 academy graduates selected to train with the first team during the summer as the LaLiga side begins preparations for the new season.
Real Sociedad confirmed the development through an update on their official website, revealing that Ochieng will join the senior squad when players report for physical and medical assessments at the club's Zubieta training complex on Saturday, 4 July, before holding their first open training session on Sunday.
"The 26/27 preseason kicks off on Saturday. The Txuri-Urdin are scheduled to meet in Zubieta for the first physical and medical tests of the season before holding their first training session open to the public on Sunday."
The club added that, as in previous years, a group of promising youngsters would be integrated into the first-team setup during preseason.
"This year, twelve youngsters will train with the senior squad during the summer preparations. The players are: Fraga, Kita, Beitia, Balda, Lebarbier, Aguirre, Mikel RodrÃguez, Carbonell, Dani DÃaz, Ochieng, Marchal and Carr," the club stated.
Ochieng's inclusion follows an outstanding breakthrough campaign with Real Sociedad B, where he emerged as one of the side's standout performers.
The Kenya international featured in 25 league matches, scoring nine goals while consistently catching the attention of the senior technical bench.
His impressive displays also earned him opportunities with the first team last season. He made his senior debut against Elche in February, playing 25 minutes, before making two more appearances.
Ochieng was handed his first start against RCD Espanyol in May, featuring for 67 minutes, and also came off the bench in the Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Club.
He also celebrated a major career milestone by winning the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad after the club defeated Atlético Madrid 4-3 on penalties in the final, becoming one of the few Kenyan footballers to lift a major domestic trophy in Spain.
Having recently turned 23, Ochieng has now graduated from the club's youth ranks and faces arguably the biggest challenge of his career.
The pre-season will serve as a crucial audition as the head coach and his technical staff assess whether he has done enough to secure a permanent place in the senior squad for the 2026/27 season.
Real Sociedad are scheduled to continue their preparations with a pre-season tour in England from Friday, 24 to Saturday, 25 July, where Ochieng will hope to strengthen his case for a first-team breakthrough ahead of the new La Liga campaign.
