Harambee Stars defender Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma has left Swedish giants AIK for Polish side Rakow Czestochowa.
The player will sign a three-year deal with an option to extend for a further year with the club in the coming days as he ends his four-year association with AIK who risked losing him for free at the end of the year.
Ouma had attracted interest from some of the best club’s in Europe including Spanish side Espanyol but Rakow’s financial pull was too good to turn down with AIK’s valuation of the player having been met by the club; 30% of the money set to go to Ouma’s former club IF Vasalunds.
The club has midfielder Sonny Kittel as their highest earner with the German midfielder on a weekly wage of £7,600 (Approx: KES 1.5M) but that will be eclipsed by Ouma who will be on £8,000 (Apprx KES 1.6M) a week excluding bonuses.
AIK’s sporting director Thomas Berntsen has already identified Ouma’s replacement as he believes Axel Björnström can do a better job.
“Yes, “Acke” (Axel Björnström) is a slightly different type of player. He has a slightly easier relationship with fellow players and has a slightly better passing and crossing foot. Erick has been very good, but we believe that “Acke” can make top performances for us if we trust him. But he will also face tough competition,” Berntsen told Sportbladet.
Rakow are currently placed fourth in the 18-team Polish top-flight league with 32 points just six off leaders Jagiellonia having played a game less. The team was in Group D of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League season where they finished fourth with 4 points in a group that had Atalanta, Sporting Lisbon, and Sturm Graz.
Ouma will be hoping that he can join the team early before their next game against Ludogorets on 27th January 2024 in what will be a club-friendly game.
