Sports / Soccer
Mugabe signs for Scottish Premier League giants
10 Jul 2011 at 18:20hrs | Views
Victor Mugabe Wanyama flew into Glasgow on Thursday night and sought a work permit from the Scottish Football Association (SFA) to enable him help improve the fortunes of Scottish Premier League giants Celtic FC.
The Harambee Stars midfielder revealed the fact that his brother's dream of playing in Britain was wrecked by red tape left him always praying he doesn't suffer the same fate.
Well, he succeeded where his brother McDonald Mariga had failed by having his appeal for a work permit accepted after Celtic successfully argued that the Kenyan player would make a significant impact on the Scottish game as they met with the independent SFA panel of at Hampden Park.
Mugabe was underwent medical tests in Glasgow and is now close to becoming coach Neil Lennon's third summer signing.
Celtic finished second to arch-rivals Rangers in the 2010-11 SPL season.
The SFA released a statement saying: "Following an appeal by Celtic FC on behalf of Victor Wanyama, the Scottish FA has today (yesterday) issued the club with a Governing Body Endorsement.
"The player must now complete his work permit application with the UK Border Agency."
According to STV Sport, "Mugabe Wanyama has satisfied the requirement in terms of his appearances, however, Kenya's 130th ranking prevented him from gaining the necessary approval from the SFA at the first attempt".
Mugabe's first game for Celtic could be the pre-season friendly against Partick Thistle next Saturday, as Celtic's first team are currently in Australia on a Pre-Season tour.
His brother Mariga came close to joining Manchester City from Parma in January last year, only for a work permit delay to scupper his plans and lead him to Inter Milan instead.
Rangers and Aston Villa plus clubs in Russia were interested in Mugabe but he said: "Celtic appeal to me so much that offers from others aren't even worth talking about."
The Harambee Stars midfielder revealed the fact that his brother's dream of playing in Britain was wrecked by red tape left him always praying he doesn't suffer the same fate.
Well, he succeeded where his brother McDonald Mariga had failed by having his appeal for a work permit accepted after Celtic successfully argued that the Kenyan player would make a significant impact on the Scottish game as they met with the independent SFA panel of at Hampden Park.
Mugabe was underwent medical tests in Glasgow and is now close to becoming coach Neil Lennon's third summer signing.
Celtic finished second to arch-rivals Rangers in the 2010-11 SPL season.
"The player must now complete his work permit application with the UK Border Agency."
According to STV Sport, "Mugabe Wanyama has satisfied the requirement in terms of his appearances, however, Kenya's 130th ranking prevented him from gaining the necessary approval from the SFA at the first attempt".
Mugabe's first game for Celtic could be the pre-season friendly against Partick Thistle next Saturday, as Celtic's first team are currently in Australia on a Pre-Season tour.
His brother Mariga came close to joining Manchester City from Parma in January last year, only for a work permit delay to scupper his plans and lead him to Inter Milan instead.
Rangers and Aston Villa plus clubs in Russia were interested in Mugabe but he said: "Celtic appeal to me so much that offers from others aren't even worth talking about."
Source - Byo24News
