Spanish giants confirm signing of Kenya Under-20 skipper
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 25.01.26. | 13:07
The highly rated defender joins Valencia from Athletic Club Torrellano, ending months of speculation about his future and becoming the VCF Academy’s first signing of the current transfer window
La Liga side Valencia CF have confirmed the signing of Kenya Under-20 captain Amos Emmanuel Wanjala, who will link up with VCF Mestalla, the club’s reserve and youth development team.
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The highly rated defender joins Valencia from Athletic Club Torrellano, ending months of speculation about his future and becoming the VCF Academy’s first signing of the current transfer window.
Back in September 2025, Wanjala had been strongly linked with a move to Spanish Segunda División side UD Almería, with plans for a January 2026 transfer. However, Valencia have now won the race for the 19-year-old’s signature.
“Amos Emmanuel Wanjala, 19, is a central defender who comes to the VCF Academy from Athletic Club Torrellano, where he gained experience in the Third Federation and represented the Valencian Selection in the UEFA Regions’ Cup,” read a statement from the club.
“The new Valencia defender is a full international with Kenya and captained his country’s Under-20 team at the Africa Cup of Nations. The signing of Amos Wanjala is VCF Mestalla’s first in this winter transfer window.”
Away from football, Wanjala developed a passion for music at a young age. By six, he was already playing drums and piano in church, a talent that remains part of his identity today.
He has often credited his mother for instilling discipline and faith, values that have shaped his character both on and off the pitch.
His formal education and football foundation were laid at St. Anthony’s Boys High School, Kitale, a school renowned for producing top football talent in Kenya.
Wanjala quickly emerged as a leader, captaining the “Solidarity Boys” to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national title in August 2023.
That triumph proved to be a turning point, attracting scouts and earning him a scholarship to Nàstic Sports Academy in Tarragona, Spain, where his professional journey began.
On the international stage, Wanjala captained Kenya U18 to a second-place finish at the CECAFA U18 Championship in Kisumu in December 2023, before leading the Kenya U20 side through the 2024 CECAFA U20 Championship and COSAFA Cup, helping the team qualify for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo.
His leadership and consistent performances earned him a senior Harambee Stars call-up in November 2024 for AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Wanjala’s European journey began at Nàstic Academy, where his talent quickly stood out.
Within six months, he earned a professional contract with Athletic Club Torrellano CF. In 2025, he also trained extensively with Elche CF, though contractual disagreements prevented a permanent move.
With the Valencia transfer now complete, Wanjala joins a growing list of Kenyan players making their mark abroad.
Alongside Aldrine Kibet at Celta Vigo, other notable prospects include Alvin Kasavuli at Nàstic Academy and Luis Ingavi, a Montverde Academy graduate currently playing semi-professionally in Michigan ahead of university enrollment.
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