Tusker FC on Wednesday afternoon officially bid farewell to striker Ryan Wesley Ogam, who has sealed a move to Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC.
The forward, who had been briefly released from national team duty, stopped by the Ruaraka Grounds to share a final moment with his teammates before traveling to Austria immediately after the international break.
The ceremony was attended by senior leadership from East African Breweries Limited (EABL), led by Group Managing Director Jane Karuku, alongside Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) Managing Director Mark Ocitti, Marketing and Innovations Director Mark Mugisha, Head of Mainstream Beer Christine Kariuki, Tusker Sports Brand Manager Keza Mpyisi, and Head of Communications Waithera Mwai.
They were joined by Tusker FC chairman Charles Gacheru, Chief Executive Officer Sam Nzau, members of the technical bench, and the playing unit, who all gathered to celebrate Ogam’s achievement.
EABL Group Managing Director Jane Karuku praised Ogam for his growth and encouraged him to carry the Tusker spirit abroad:
“We are very proud of Ryan and we want to wish him nothing but success. We are excited to see him represent Kenya and Tusker in Austria, and hopefully at even bigger European clubs in the future. As a company, we remain committed to investing in this team to nurture as many young and brilliant talents as possible.”
Her remarks were echoed by Mr. Ocitti, who reflected on Ogam’s impact during the recent CHAN tournament:
“It was always a proud moment during CHAN when Ryan scored, and we could all proudly say he is a Tusker FC player. While we would have loved to keep him, this is a fantastic opportunity for his career, and we wish him the very best.”
The KBL boss further pledged continued support for the club, particularly in improving training facilities:
“The brand will keep strengthening its support for the team to ensure players have the right environment to express their talents. We have heard the concerns about your training ground, and we are committing to raise its standards to reflect the stature of this club.”
As part of the farewell, Ogam was presented with a customized kit and a framed jersey signed by all players and staff, a keepsake to remind him of his journey at Tusker.
The striker, who has been with the team for just over a year, expressed deep gratitude to the club and fans:
“I am truly thankful to the brand, management, coaches, and my teammates for this incredible gesture. I am really moved and will cherish the moments we shared. Though I was here for a year and a month — and only played for about seven months due to injury — the memories and bonds we created will last a lifetime. As I move to a new environment in Europe, I carry all of you with me and will always represent Tusker proudly.”
Ogam will leave the country immediately after international duty.
