Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has left Qatari club Al Duhail after a hugely successful four-and-a-half-years but which countries could he end up playing in next?
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has brought to an end his four-and-a-half-year stint with Qatari club Al Duhail following the announcement of his exit on Thursday.
Olunga leaves Al Duhail as a legend after breaking the scoring record, having become the club’s all-time top scorer with 130 goals, while he also led them to a number of trophies, including the league title in 2023.
The former Thika United, Gor Mahia, Djurgardens, Guizhou Zhicheng, Girona and Kashiwa Reysol striker is now left looking for another club, but with his scoring prowess, he will not struggle to find a new home.
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Pulse Sports explores where Michael Olunga could possibly play next.
Michael Olunga: 7 Potential Destinations for Harambee Stars Captain After Al Duhail Exit
Qatar
Michael Olunga will not lack suitors in Qatar.
Michael Olunga may have left Al Duhail but in Qatar, he is a highly popular and respected figure who many clubs would like to have in their squad.
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Olunga, who became Al Duhail’s record goalscorer during his four-and-a-half year stint at Al Duhail in Qatar, will leave the club at the end of June.
Olunga, who won the Golden Boot twice with Al Duhail, showcased his scoring powers in the country and has earned admiration although it was difficult to price him away from the Doha-based club when he was on contract.
Now as a free agent, Olunga will attract a lot of interest from Qatari clubs who will not have the difficult task of paying a hefty transfer fee with ambitious sides such as Qatar SC, Al Ahli and Al Gharafa among his likely choices as they have not had problems signing players in their 30s in recent years.
UAE
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Michael Olunga can opt to try out an adventure in the United Arab Emirates. Photo/Imago
Another possible choice for Michael Olunga is the United Arab Emirates whose clubs could similarly offer him a big-money contract.
Clubs in the UAE closely follow proceedings in Qatar and Olunga’s goal scoring exploits have not gone unnoticed across the region, making him an attractive prospect for teams in the country.
There will not be much adaptation needed for Olunga who understands the region very well thanks to his spell in Doha.
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Saudi Arabia
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Cash-rich Saudi clubs can benefit from Michael Olunga’s goal scoring prowess. Photo: Al Duhail
Saudi clubs have been offering top dollar for players in their prime and those coming to the end of their careers and Michael Olunga, who is still just 31, can do a great job for the big-spending sides.
While the top four Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad appear keen on top names from Europe, a host of middle table sides can benefit from Olunga’s talents and they also have the financial muscle to match or even double the close to $2 million that the striker was reportedly earning per year at Al Duhail.
Turkey
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Can Turkish champions Galatasaray lure Michael Olunga?
Michael Olunga was reported to be on the radar of Turkish giants Galatasaray two years ago when his future in Doha became a subject of speculation.
It never materialised as the player stayed at Al Duhail but now, things have changed for both parties. Olunga is available for free while Galatasaray are set to lose Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who looks set for a move to Saudi Arabia.
Olunga’s style of play is almost similar to Osimhen as he is lethal in the box both in the air and on the ground and could end up being a great bargain for the Turkish giants if they take a chance on him.
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South Africa
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Michael Olunga has been on the radar of South African giants Kaizer Chiefs since 2024. Photo/Michael Olunga
Michael Olunga has also been on the radar of South African giants Kaizer Chiefs since the end of the 2023-24 season but the Glamour Boys could not manage to pull off the transfer.
Chiefs are desperately in need of a lethal striker after a ninth-place finish in the South African top flight with all their three centre forwards scoring just nine goals combined in the just-concluded campaign.
Olunga could therefore do an excellent job for them and they are set to feature in the CAF Confederation Cup next season which will need a quality squad with a free agent like the Kenyan captain a great asset if they can find the money to entice him.
Japan
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Michael Olunga could make a return to Japan where he enjoyed his spell with Kashiwa Reysol.
Michael Olunga had made his mark in Japan with Kashiwa Reysol before he moved to Qatar and a return to the Asian country cannot be ruled out.
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The striker understands the country, its football, culture and language which will not make it difficult to settle while he would not command a transfer fee, allowing his suitors to invest that cash in his salary.
Olunga would be a great addition to the J-League, where he was voted Player of the Year in 2020, a first for an African, having clinched the Golden Boot by scoring 28 goals that year.
MLS
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The MLS is an another attractive destination for Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga. Photo. Imago
Highly unlikely but could Michael Olunga follow in the footsteps of Victor Wanyama by playing in the United States?
Olunga would be a great addition to many MLS teams looking for firepower while paying him will not be a problem as a host of sides in the US can still afford to create room on the wage bill for a player of his qualities thanks to the Designated Player rule.
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