Kenyan prodigy joins Finnish top-flight side from Swedish outfit
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 09.07.26. | 18:09
The loan move presents an important opportunity for the youngster to gain valuable top-flight experience
Harambee Stars prospect Xavier Odhiambo has completed a season-long loan move to Finnish top-flight side Vaasan Palloseura (VPS) from Swedish club Landskrona BoIS as he continues his development ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
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The 21-year-old attacker will spend the remainder of the Finnish Veikkausliiga season at VPS, with the club viewing the move as an ideal opportunity to provide the youngster with regular playing time and accelerate his progress.
Confirming the deal on their official website, VPS said they had reached an agreement with Landskrona BoIS for Odhiambo's temporary switch, expressing confidence that their style of play would bring the best out of the versatile forward.
VPS sporting director Tommi Pikkarainen explained that the Kenyan was a perfect fit for the club's attacking philosophy.
Tervetuloa Raitaan Xavier Odhiambo!🖤🤍
— Vaasan Palloseura (@VPS1924) July 9, 2026
VPS ja Landskrona BoIS ovat sopineet loppukauden mittaisen pelaajalainan. 21-vuotias hyökkääjä tuo mukanaan nopeutta ja juoksuvoimaa.
🗣️ Urheilujohtaja Tommi Pikkarainen: "Odhiambo tuo Palloseuraan erityyppisen vaihtoehdon hyökkäykseen… pic.twitter.com/uK6BsIQ4ru
"He is a fast, powerful forward," Pikkarainen said.
"This season, Landskrona's formation and style of play did not favour Xavier, so we agreed with Landskrona that he is better suited to our style of play and a loan is a good option for all parties."
Pikkarainen also believes Odhiambo will offer the team a different attacking dimension.
"Time and adaptation will show how much added value will ultimately be achieved," he added.
Having already spent several days in Vaasa, Odhiambo revealed he has settled in quickly and is eager to repay the faith shown in him by the club.
The forward admitted the city's strong Swedish-speaking culture has made his transition smoother, while expressing confidence that his qualities match the profile described by the sporting director.
"It feels easy to adapt when there are a lot of Swedish speakers in the city, and everyone at the club has welcomed me well – I feel at home already," Odhiambo said. "I feel my strengths are speed and finishing."
Odhiambo holds dual citizenship and has consistently pledged his international future to Kenya.
The loan move presents an important opportunity for the youngster to gain valuable top-flight experience in Finland after finding limited opportunities at Landskrona last season.
At VPS, he will be hoping to translate his pace, power and eye for goal into consistent performances as he continues his journey towards establishing himself at the senior club level while strengthening his case for a future Harambee Stars call-up.