The extraordinary rise of Richard Odada: From trial at Inter to a debut for Red Star

Patience. Faith. Determination.

For a 20-year-old youngster far away from home - on a whole different continent, faced with an awkward language and totally contrasting culture - it seems almost impossible to preserve those three virtues. And succeed.

But it was not the case with Richard Odada. The prodigious Kenyan midfielder never lost confidence and composure, waiting for his fair chance in the Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade. The opportunity to shine came on Sunday 28 February when Odada came in as a sub in a 4-0 home victory against Proleter in the Serbian championship.

In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport Kenya he talks about his childhood, formative years, a sudden trial at Inter Milan, flight to unknown (Serbia), his hopes, dreams...

But before a thorough story of Odada's lifepath, firstly, we ought to hear a few words about his present. It is truly satisfying for this young man.

Richard Odada makes Red Star debut after three years

"I am honoured to have made my debut for the Red Star because it has been my great wish since I came to the youth setups of the club. I would like to thank the professional staff for the indicated trust and everyone in the club who have given me support since I came to Serbia," Odada points out.

"I am also happy because I had small problems with the injury during the spring and that I managed to overcome and get a chance to play. I hope that I will have many more games in the red and white jersey and that we will manage to win the home title and the domestic cup."

Odada's debut for Red Star on Sunday (©Starsport)

The young Richie came to Red Star in 2018 due to a combination of circumstances, so characteristic for football. But it started much earlier for him...

"I came to Europe practically without a real game. It is much different in Europe than at home. We don't have football academies nor youth championship. Firstly, we play in school; we have a boarding school, you are there for three months, you go to classes there, you eat there, you sleep. Then you spend a month at home, and you go like that three times a year. And then you have tournaments organized between schools and between the regions according to the same principle. In such games, you hope that someone will notice you. That's how they noticed me ", begins Odada his story for Mozzart Sport Kenya.

He was noticed, of course, by coaches from AFC Leopards. However, as the youth league does not exist in Kenya, Odada came to Europe searching for luck, thanks to some foreign partners. After training with Serbian non-league side Vozdovac, he had to go back to Kenya, but only briefly. His agent Milos Manojlovic told him to be patient and that a real chance would follow in Italy.

"Honestly, I was suspicious. I came back. No one calls me for 20 days. And then they call and say: 'You're going to Inter!' I couldn't believe it. I thought they were joking."

Odada and his agent Manojlovic (©Starsport)

No one was joking. The trial in the Italian giants lasted for a month, although according to Manojlovic, the Nerazzurri were ready to agree on cooperation after only five or six days. However, it often happens that the agents cannot agree among themselves in such circumstances, and the deal was off. At least, Odada gained a lot of experience at Inter and then at Parma.

"It was a generation of Nicolo Zaniolo. Interestingly, he didn't stand out that much at all. Let's face it - he was a serious talent, a player already, but there were others also. However, he got a chance and grabbed it entirely. The rest is history. Others simply did not get such an opportunity. It opened up to him ".

Occasionally, Odada was given a chance to train with the first team at the "Appiano Gentile" Sports Centre. Luciano Spalletti was the coach at the time.

"Spalletti didn't speak English very well then, so we didn't communicate much, mostly through translators. You have to realize, I was just a kid from Africa on trial. But I did have a chance to practice with some big names then. For example, Mauro Icardi was there, Joao Mario as well, he remained etched in my memory as a top player. I watched him all the time because he plays in my position. I still watch him today. "

After joining Red Star's youth setups in 2018, he was sent to their feeder club Graficar, where he shone immensely. He broke down numerous barriers in the previous half-season, suggesting that he could be Red Star's diamond from another continent. Someone who will strengthen the team of the Serbian champion.

"I was thrilled in Graficar, everyone was great to me, but if you want to progress, you have to set yourself new challenges always. If I want to be better, I have to play with better teammates, with more challenging opponents, I have to play the best football. I've been here for a long time. I've seen what Red Star matches with fans look like. I would get chills every time. I want to feel that as a player. "

Odada playing for Graficar against Red Star last year (©Reuters)

After all, he will also get a chance to learn from one real star in his position - from Dejan Stankovic.

"I'm looking forward to it. Although I don't think we are exactly the same type of player, I will definitely learn. He is a big name in European football.

"I'm a physically strong guy. I'm not scared of anything. However, it was immediately clear to me that I was lagging tactically. Simply, how we work with children in Kenya and how they do it in Europe - cannot be compared. That is why I often stay with my agent, even after training. We talk about tactics, watch matches of other clubs. I mainly watch football players who play in my position. Thiago Alcantara mostly. He is a master. At first glance, everything seems so simple, as if everyone can do it, and believe me, he is a genius. How he chooses solutions, everything in touch or two with the ball, he sees everything, he knows when to step on the ball, when to push it forward, he knows how to speed up the rhythm ... ", Odada is impressed.

Those who watched Richard Odada describe him as a personification of football modernism, a modern-day midfielder, physically strong and very soft on the ball and the pass. A real all-rounder that coaches can use in several positions.

"The coaches in Crvena Zvezda (Red Star's name in the Serbian language) also helped me a lot. They talk to me, they advise me. It is not easy, because you have to watch the whole field, what they are doing behind you, what they are doing in front, you have to have a strong sense of the game, not only to depend on speed but to be able to predict what will happen, to be one step ahead of everyone possible. When you defend yourself, anticipate how the opponent's attack will go and where you should stand. When you have the ball - you decide where it goes. I love that responsibility."

In recent months, however, Odada has also tried his hand as a defender.

"Yeah, I don't know why the coach did it, a-ha-ha," laughs Odada and adds:

"But I don't complain, although I prefer to play as the back midfielder, and I feel better there. But before one game, the coach only told me that he wanted to try with me as a center-back, that he thought I could do it. He told me what to do, and mine was just to listen. The experience at the central defender will undoubtedly help me to gain some other qualities to see how the game is going from that perspective ".

He rarely sees his family, which is especially difficult for him. In fact, they have not been able to visit him in Serbia yet, although he hopes that will happen soon. At least, people in Kenya are not unfamiliar with Zvezda.

"OK, everyone has heard about Crvena Zvezda, of course, but they don't really know much about the club and Serbian football. But when we defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the Champions League, then everyone understood. Then the phone started ringing, and everyone asked: 'Wait, you play Red Star?' We, the people of Kenya, are crazy about the Premier League, and it's no wonder that the victory over Liverpool was big news in my home country ", smiles Odada.

Richard in front of The Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade (©Starsport)

And when he already mentioned the fans, it's inevitable to ask him about those infamous Belgrade ultras.

"Whenever I talk about the Red Star, I can't help but mention the fans. I remember that as a youngster, I played against Brodarac. It was a great derby. I scored the leading goal. There was a madhouse in the stands. Fans flew into my arms, kissed me. That's something amazing. I can imagine the emotions that prevail during those European ties.

"I say - wild all the way. Albeit some things are strange to me. I went to a derby recently, going down the boulevard to the stadium, saw two groups of Red Star and Partizan fans met, and you see, they don't know each other. But they immediately reached out to fight. That's not very clear to me. That is not the case in Kenya. I understand that after the games, emotions boil; someone is always angry because he lost. That has happened at the games of Gor Mahia and Leopards. But before the game... That speaks of great passion in Serbia and Europe, " concludes Odada for Mozzart Sport Kenya.

UPDATE: Odada, who is currently on loan at Serbian second-tier side Metalac from Red Star Belgrade, recently debuted for the senior Kenyan National team, Harambee Stars.

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