Harambee Stars Defender Poised to Play Against Manchester United

Harambee Stars fullback Clarke Oduor is poised to face English Premier League side Manchester United on Wednesday,  August 27, after securing a high-profile move to English third-tier side Grimsby Town.
Grimsby confirmed Oduor’s signing on the evening of Tuesday, August 26, through their official social media channels, just hours before the anticipated Carabao Cup second-round tie against Manchester United.
“We are pleased to have Clarke Oduor on a season-long loan from Bradford City,” Grimsby said in a statement.
Born in Nairobi, Oduor began his football journey in England after relocating to the UK at a young age.
His professional journey in football began at just 10 years when he joined Leeds United’s academy, rising through the ranks before making his professional debut for the club in January 2019.
He progressed to Championship side Barnsley, where he spent four seasons and made 48 appearances. One of his stand-out moments came in July 2020 when he scored a goal against Brentford, which effectively helped his team survive relegation to the English third tier.
It is worth noting that Oduor, despite playing in England, has at times struggled to establish himself at a single club. In the 2022/2023 season, he joined Hartlepool United, where he played 14 times, scoring once.
He then signed for Bradford City where he became a regular contributor across two seasons, making an impressive 62 appearances and scoring five goals.
As far as his international career is concerned, Oduor was eligible to play for Kenya or England, but chose his country of birth, making his debut in 2022 during a friendly against Zambia. At the time, the Harambee Stars’ coach was Francis Kimanzi.
He did not feature in Benni McCarthy’s squad for the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) as the tournament focuses on home-based talent.
The move to Grimsby Town presents a fresh opportunity for Oduor, and since he registered with the club on Tuesday evening, he is eligible to face Manchester United, considered one of the most successful clubs in the world.
Oduor is one of a string of Kenyan names who are plying their trade in Europe. Other notable names flying the flag high globally include Aldrine Kibet, who recently secureda high-profile move to Spanish top-tier club Celta Vigo.