Dundee United coach on why he opted to slowly integrate Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada into the team

Odada featured for 45 minutes during Dundee United's 1-1 draw with Hibernian on Sunday evening but has seen limited opportunities since moving to Scotland.

Dundee United head coach Jim Goodwin has explained why he has taken time to integrate Kenyan midfielder Richard Odada into his starting lineup ever since arriving from Philadelphia Union in the summer.

Odada, who signed a two-year contract with an optional third year, has seen limited playing time since his arrival, making five league appearances, all as a substitute. His longest stint came in last Sunday's 1-1 draw against Hibernian, where he played 45 minutes.

Goodwin, speaking to the club’s media after the Hibernian match, praised Odada’s contribution and shed light on why he has been cautious about accelerating the midfielder’s integration.

“Really pleased with all the substitutions to be honest. Richard went there and gave us more physicality in the center of the pitch, showed good aggression, done well on the ball,” Goodwin remarked. 

He elaborated on the adjustment Odada is making: “The whole thing with us since Richard has come to the club is to try and speed his game up a little bit. He won’t get the time and space on the ball in Scotland like he would have been used at other clubs, but I thought he made a real impact.”

Odada's journey

Odada began his football career with AFC Leopards, where his talent soon attracted attention from elite European clubs. 

Trials with Inter Milan and Juventus paved the way for his eventual signing with Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade at just 19 years old. He gained valuable experience on loan at Graficar Beograd and Metalac Gornji Milanovac, amassing over 50 senior appearances across the Serbian league system.

Following the conclusion of his contract with Red Star, Odada sought new challenges and moved to the United States, joining Philadelphia Union. 

There, he balanced play between the senior and reserve teams before a temporary stint with Aalborg BK, where he played a pivotal role in their successful promotion campaign, contributing four goals.

Odada’s international career has also flourished. With 21 caps for the Harambee Stars, the midfielder scored his first international goal in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Rwanda.

Goodwin emphasized the need for Odada to adjust to the fast-paced nature of Scottish football: “Getting him up to speed with the rest of the group is now of paramount importance to ensure he can make the positive impact we anticipate he will during his time at the club.”

The coach's approach highlights Odada's technical and physical qualities as integral to Dundee United’s midfield, with Goodwin confident that the 23-year-old’s varied experience across three continents showcases his adaptability and determination.

Expressing his excitement upon joining Dundee United last August, Odada revealed, "It feels nice to be wearing this shirt. As soon as I heard there was interest at the end of the season, I just said 'make it happen!' to my agent."

The midfielder’s commitment and readiness to contribute were clear: “The demands placed on the team both by the fans and ourselves as players are exciting - it's a mentality I'm happy to work with. I'm looking forward to working hard and giving my best for the club, fans, and my teammates. I'm here to push us on to achieving our goals for the season.”

As Odada continues to aclamatize to the Scottish Premiership, Dundee United fans eagerly await to see how his combination of technical prowess and physicality will bolster the team's ambitions.