Kenya Under 23 midfielder ditches Kariobangi Sharks for City Stars

New Nairobi City Stars midfielder Sven Yidah (left) poses for photos with the club CEO Patrick Korir during his unveiling ceremony in Nairobi on September 7, 2020.

Photo credit: Pool |

What you need to know:

  • The combative midfielder joins City Stars from Kariobangi Sharks, where he has been plying his trade for the last four years.
  • He joined Sharks in 2016 from boyhood club Ligi Ndogo.

Kenya Under-23 star Sven Yidah has joined Kenyan Premier League returnees Nairobi City Stars on a two-year deal.

The combative midfielder joins City Stars from Kariobangi Sharks, where he has been plying his trade for the last four years. He joined Sharks in 2016 from boyhood club Ligi Ndogo.

Kariobangi Sharks defensive midfielder Sven Yidah warms up during a training session at Woodley grounds on August 6, 2020.

Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

Ydah is the sixth signing for the Kawangware-based side, who are making a return to the top flight league after three seasons in the cold.

"Kariobangi Sharks has played a big role in my development and I thank them for giving me the chance. However, in the last season, I felt my career was stagnating and I am really happy to join City Stars now - it is a team I can now grow my game to a higher level," Sven said.

"I like the project City Stars is building and the ambition to professionalise the club. There is a good mixture of young and experienced players and that amongst other factors convinced me to join the club. I am ready to play my part to ensure the club achieves its goals."

Yidah joins striker Erick Ombija, goalkeeper Elvis Ochieng Ochoro (Hakati Sportiff), Ronney Kola Oyaro (Kenya School of Government (KSG)), Rowland Makati (Vapor Sports), Timothy Ouma (Laiser Hill Academy) who have joined the club in the past few weeks.

New Nairobi City Stars midfielder Sven Yidah poses for photos during his unveiling ceremony in Nairobi on September 7, 2020.

Photo credit: Pool |

Yidah, who was unveiled by the club CEO Patrick Korir on Monday, featured 97 times for Kariobangi Sharks in the Kenyan Premier League and will keep his jersey no. 18 at City Stars.

At Sharks, the 21-year-old won the domestic cup and the SportPesa Cup.

Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Sven Yidah celebrates scoring a penalty during their friendly match against Everton at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 7, 2019.


Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

“I am happy to join Nairobi City Stars. They have an ambitious project and I am eager to play a part in making it a success,” Yidah is quoted as saying by the club's portal.

“I will also be joining my former teammates (Ebrima) Sanneh, Shittu (Salim Abdalla) and Wycliffe (Otieno) who also played a huge role in convincing me to be part of this project. I promise work hard and to be full committed every day and any day.”

New Nairobi City Stars midfielder Sven Yidah poses for photos during his unveiling ceremony in Nairobi on September 7, 2020.

Photo credit: Pool |

Team coordinator Samson Otieno said Yidah's defensive capabilities were a great attraction to the club.

“The experience he carries from Kariobangi Sharks will be of great value to City Stars.”