CHESTER, Pa. (August 2, 2022) – Philadelphia Union announced today that they have signed defensive midfielder Richard Odada from Red Star Belgrade to a two and a half-year contract with a club option for a third and fourth year in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee. The Kenyan international player will be added to the Union’s active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa and will occupy an international roster slot.
“Richard is a holding midfielder with positional versatility and a great potential to be a valuable contributor as we continue to develop our roster,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “He can play multiple midfield roles as well as center back, and he has the height, speed and physicality we were searching for. We look forward to integrating him this year and encouraging his development for the future.”
Odada, 21, comes to Philadelphia from the Serbian SuperLiga, Serbia’s first-tier league, where he played for Red Star Belgrade, making two appearances. In 2020, he was sent out on loan to RFK Grafičar Beograd where he recorded three assists in 25 appearances (22 starts). In 2021, Odada was loaned to first-tier side FK Metalac Gornji Milanovac, making 27 total appearances (18 starts) for the Serbian side, before rejoining RFK Grafičar Beograd on loan in 2022.
Internationally, Odada has earned five caps for Kenya’s Men’s National Team. His first senior call up was in September 2021, ahead of a pair of World Cup qualifier matches, where he made his debut in a 0-0 tie against Uganda on September 2, 2021. Odada scored his first international goal in a 2-1 win against Rwanda on November 15, 2021.
TRANSACTION: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Richard Odada on August 2, 2022. He will be added to the active roster following receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa.
Name: Richard Odada
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 180 lbs
Born: November 25, 2000
Birthplace: Nairobi, Kenya
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Citizenship: Kenyan/Serbian
Acquired: Philadelphia Union sign midfielder Richard Odada on August 2, 2022.
Previous Experience: Red Star Belgrade (2020), Grafičar Beograd (Loan, 2020), Metalac Gornji Milanovac (Loan, 2021-2022), Grafičar Beograd (Loan, 2022)
