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Kenyan midfielder extended his contract with a Swedish top-tier club citing his recent progress and commitment to improvement.
Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma has opened up about the motivation behind extending his contract with Swedish top-tier club IF Elfsborg, despite attracting interest from several European football giants.
The 21-year-old Kenyan star, who has drawn attention from English Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Italy's AS Roma, has signed a new deal that will keep him with Elfsborg until the 2027 season.
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Timothy Ouma on why his focus remains unshaken amid Premier League interest
Ouma, who is back with the Kenya national team Harambee Stars ahead of their double header against Cameroon, has explained why he cannot afford to be complacent following interest from major European clubs.
Reflecting on the decision to remain in Sweden, Ouma emphasized that his hard work and the progress he has made since joining Elfsborg in 2022 were key factors in his choice.
"I have worked hard since I came to Elfsborg, and now I am finally getting the results I want," Ouma said in an interview with the club media after the contract extension was confirmed.
"I am very happy to have signed a new contract."
Ouma, who transferred to IF Elfsborg from Nairobi City Stars FC in the FKF Premier League during the summer of 2022, made his debut for the Swedish side later that year.
His first appearance in the Allsvenskan came on October 31, 2022, in a 3-0 victory against Helsingborgs IF.
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Since then, the Kenyan midfielder has made 34 competitive appearances for the club, firmly establishing himself as a vital part of the team.
His breakthrough came during the 2023 season where his performances caught the attention of top European clubs.
Despite the growing interest from abroad, Ouma remains committed to Elfsborg, citing his development and desire to keep improving as major reasons for extending his stay.
"I have been waiting for my chance, and when I got it at the beginning of the summer, I took it," Ouma said.
"Since then, I am very happy with the playing time I get. I think I have performed well, especially recently, but I still want to get even better every day."
Ouma has quickly gone from a promising young player to one of the most reliable midfielders in the Allsvenskan, becoming a crucial piece in head coach Oscar Hiljemark's system.
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His performances have been so consistent that he has become a mainstay in the team, helping Elfsborg not only in the domestic league but also on the European stage.
"It is huge for me to play in the Allsvenskan, but of course, even more now that we also play in the Europa League," Ouma said.
"It's great to get the chance to play on the big stage in Europe, both for me personally but also for the whole team."
The midfielder's previous contract ran until 2026, but the new extension will see him remain at the club for an additional year, through the 2027 season.
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Ouma is excited about the future and eager to continue working with his teammates to achieve further success.
"Now it's just about continuing to take one match at a time and working hard for each other in the team," he said.
"The key to getting better is to keep working as I have done so far. It is important to listen, learn, and ensure that we all continue pulling in the same direction."
Elfsborg head coach Oscar Hiljemark also praised Ouma's recent progress, expressing confidence in his continued growth.
"We are pleased that IF Elfsborg and Timothy have agreed on a contract extension," Hiljemark said.
"He has shown significant development, especially in the last few months, and has been responsible for many strong performances. We look forward to continuing our work together."
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