Kenyan U20 captain Amos Wanjala has been called up to Valencia CF's first-team squad ahead of the club's pre-season training, which begins on July 18, the LaLiga side has confirmed.
The defender joined the Spanish top-flight club, which finished ninth in LaLiga last season with 49 points from 38 matches, after impressing with Kenya's U20 national team while still at St. Anthony's Boys High School. He made the move from Nastic Academy.
Since joining Valencia's youth setup, Wanjala has steadily risen through the ranks, impressing coaches across various age groups with his composure, defensive discipline, and consistency.
The promotion gives him the opportunity to train alongside senior professionals and stake a claim for a permanent place in the first-team setup. If he impresses during pre-season, he could earn a much-sought-after first-team contract.
Valencia's coaching staff will use the early stages of pre-season to assess academy graduates and fringe players, with Wanjala among those given the opportunity to impress. The Kenyan will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad, who is also aiming to make an impact in LaLiga this coming season.