Richard Odada: Kenya midfielder secures transfer to Romanian side UTA Arad

After leaving Scottish Premiership side Dundee United, Kenya national team midfielder Richard Odada has found a new home after signing for Romanian top-flight side UTA Arad.

A statement on the club’s social media pages announced the arrival of the Kenyan player by saying: “UTA has confirmed the signing of defensive midfielder Richard Odada (24), a Kenyan international. The contract runs until the end of the season, with the club holding an option to extend it for another year.”

The statement added: “Born in Nairobi, Odada stands at 1.90m and has played for notable clubs in Europe and America: Red Star Belgrade (Serbia), Philadelphia Union (USA), AaB Aalborg (Denmark), and Dundee United (Scotland). At national team level, he has earned 25 caps for Kenya in the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”

Odada signed for Dundee United in 2024

Odada’s transfer comes at a time when he was overlooked for Kenya’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast in October. Kenya will first face Burundi on October 9 at Intwari Stadium, before wrapping up their campaign against Ivory Coast on October 14 at Alassane Outtara Stadium.

In the midfield, the South African legend preferred Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire, and Austine Odhiambo.

While naming his squad, coach Benni McCarthy omitted the player, who played for Kenyan Premier League side AFC Leopards in 2019, before joining Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade, and later gaining experience at Grafičar Beograd and Metalac Gornji Milanovac.

Odada has also played in Major League Soccer with Philadelphia Union in 2022, before loan stints in Denmark with AaB Aalborg and then a permanent transfer to Dundee United in 2024.