Kenyan forward and former AFC Leopards player Josephat Lopaga, has officially joined Belarusian club Dynamo Brest.
The 20-year-old player, known for his impressive skills on the field, has signed a one-year contract with the club.
Ex-AFC Leopards lands at Brest
Lopaga’s transition to Dynamo Brest wasn’t without its challenges, as legal issues and delays from his former club, Dhofar, caused some hurdles along the way.
During his trial period, Lopaga managed to impress the coaching staff at Dynamo Brest, earning himself a well-deserved spot in the team.
“Football club “Dynamo-Brest” is pleased to announce the official start of cooperation with forward Josephat Lopago. The 20-year-old Kenyan player has signed a contract for one and a half years – until the end of the 2024 season.
“Initially, Josephat arrived for a trial and quickly convinced the coaching staff of his abilities, but the transfer took nearly a month due to legal issues related to delays from his previous club, “Dhofar,” from the Oman championship,” the club announced.
“Now that all the paperwork is sorted, the newcomer has officially joined the team, where he has participated in two friendly matches in addition to training. He scored once in a scrimmage against Dynamo-Brest’s reserve team and the youth team of “Zenit,” the club further stated.
His journey to this point has been remarkable, considering his humble beginnings.
Hailing from the volatile town of Baragoi, Lopaga spent his early years as a street kid before being rescued through the City Stadium Homeless Youth Rehabilitation program.
Road to AFC Leopards
Lopaga’s dedication to football led him to the Shy Football Academy and later the Gor Mahia youth team.
His journey continued as he joined Mount Kenya United and later donned the colors of Posta Rangers before finding his way to AFC Leopards.
Notably, Lopaga also represented Kenya’s Under-23 team in the CECAFA Championship, showcasing his potential on an international stage.
His knack for scoring goals have already made an impact in two friendly matches for Dynamo Brest’s reserve team, where he found the back of the net once.