1. Overview
Joseph Stanley Okumu is a Kenyan professional footballer who primarily plays as a defender. Born in Kisumu, Kenya, he began his football journey in local youth academies before embarking on a diverse professional career that has taken him across Africa, North America, and Europe. He has played for clubs in Kenya, South Africa, the United States, Sweden, and Belgium, before joining his current club, Stade de Reims, in France. Okumu is also a key member of the Kenya national football team, having represented his country at various youth levels and in major tournaments, including the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
2. Early Life and Background
Joseph Stanley Okumu was born on 26 May 1997, in Kisumu, Kenya. He started his football development within the youth academy of his local club, Chemelil Sugar. His early training in Kenya laid the foundation for his future professional career.
3. Player Career
Okumu's professional football journey has seen him develop and progress through a variety of clubs and leagues across different continents, showcasing his adaptability and growth as a defender.
3.1. Youth Career
Okumu began his formative years in football within the youth setup of Chemelil Sugar F.C., a local club in his hometown of Kisumu, Kenya. This period was crucial for his early development and training as an aspiring footballer.
3.2. Professional Club Career
Okumu's professional career spans multiple clubs and leagues, marking significant milestones in his development as a central defender.
3.2.1. Chemelil Sugar FC
Okumu made his professional debut with Chemelil Sugar F.C. in Kenya. During the 2016 season, he made 13 appearances for the club without scoring any goals, marking the beginning of his senior career.
3.2.2. Free State Stars FC
Following his spell in Kenya, Okumu moved to South Africa to play for Free State Stars F.C. in the South African Premier Division. He featured in 8 matches for the club during the 2016-17 season.
3.2.3. AFC Ann Arbor
In 2018, Okumu moved to the United States, joining AFC Ann Arbor in the NPSL. He made 8 league appearances for the club during the 2018 season.
3.2.4. Real Monarchs
On 16 August 2018, Okumu signed with Real Monarchs, a team in the USL Championship. He played 2 matches in the 2018 USL season, including 1 playoff appearance. In the 2019 USL Championship season, he made an additional 10 appearances, bringing his total for Real Monarchs to 13 appearances.
3.2.5. IF Elfsborg
Okumu made his move to Europe on 28 August 2019, when he transferred to Swedish Allsvenskan side IF Elfsborg for an undisclosed fee. This transfer marked a significant step in his career. He made his Allsvenskan debut on 29 September 2019, starting and playing the full 90 minutes as a center-back in a league match against AIK Solna. During his time at Elfsborg, he made 34 league appearances.
3.2.6. KAA Gent
On 21 June 2021, Okumu transferred to Belgian club Gent for a fee of 3.50 M EUR. He signed a four-year contract with the club. On 12 August 2021, he scored his first professional goal for Gent in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier against FK RFS, which proved to be the winning goal of the match. During his two seasons with Gent, he made 55 league appearances, scoring 1 goal, and contributed to the team's success, including winning the 2021-22 Belgian Cup.
3.2.7. Stade de Reims
On 22 July 2023, Okumu transferred to French club Reims for a reported transfer fee of 12.00 M EUR, signing a five-year contract. He scored his first Ligue 1 goal for Reims on 30 March 2024, in a league match against Lyon. The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw. As of the end of the 2023-24 season, he had made 21 league appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal.
4. International Career
Joseph Okumu has represented Kenya at various levels of international football. He spent time with the under-21 and under-23 teams before making his senior international debut for the Harambee Stars in 2016.
His senior debut came on 31 May 2016, in a friendly match against Sudan. After his initial debut, it took approximately three years for him to receive another call-up to the national team.
In 2019, Okumu was selected by national team coach Sébastien Migné to be part of the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his tournament debut on 23 June 2019, in Kenya's opening match against Algeria, which Kenya lost 2-0. Okumu started all three of Kenya's matches in the tournament, playing the full 90 minutes in each. Despite his contributions, Kenya was eliminated in the group stage with a record of one win and two losses. As of December 2022, he had earned 16 caps for the national team.
5. Personal Life
Joseph Okumu has publicly shared his admiration for two prominent defenders, Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly, citing them as his inspirations in football. Both players, like Okumu, play in the center-back position.
6. Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Chemelil Sugar | 2016 | Kenyan Premier League | 13 | 0 | - | - | - | 13 | 0 | |||
| Free State Stars | 2016-17 | South African Premier Division | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 0 | ||
| AFC Ann Arbor | 2018 | NPSL | 8 | 0 | - | - | - | 8 | 0 | |||
| Real Monarchs | 2018 | USL | 2 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | USLC | 10 | 0 | - | - | - | 10 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 12 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||||
| Elfsborg | 2019 | Allsvenskan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 24 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 0 | ||||
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 10 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 34 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | - | 41 | 0 | ||||
| Gent | 2021-22 | Belgian Pro League | 27 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 47 | 3 |
| 2022-23 | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 1 | ||
| Total | 55 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 92 | 4 | ||
| Reims | 2023-24 | Ligue 1 | 21 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 150 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 198 | 5 | ||
7. Awards and Honors
Joseph Okumu has achieved the following honors during his professional football career:
- KAA Gent**
- Belgian Cup: 2021-22