AFC Leopards parted ways with Arthur Gitego in a calculated move, negotiating his exit to save millions while avoiding legal battles.
Often when a football club parts ways with a high-profile player the underlying reasons extend beyond mere performance on the pitch.
Financial constraints, off-field behavior and dressing room harmony all play crucial roles in determining a player’s fate.
For AFC Leopards and Rwandan striker Arthur Gitego, the decision to terminate his contract was not just about football—it was about cutting losses and stabilizing a club that found itself entangled in a costly gamble.
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When Gitego signed a two-year deal with AFC Leopards on January 16, 2024, the club was confident they had secured a gem.
At 1.93m, the towering forward had been in blistering form in the Rwandan league, attracting interest from North African and European clubs before opting for a move to Kenya.
The decision was hailed as a coup for Ingwe and his initial months justified the excitement, as he scored crucial goals and quickly became a fan favorite.
However, as the year progressed, tensions between the player and the club started simmering beneath the surface.
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It was not just about his diminishing goal tally but off-field controversies painted him in a different light. Rumors of his alleged alcoholism, a reported run-in with the police and a perceived attitude problem all began to erode the club’s faith in their high-earning striker.
By the end of 2024, it was clear that a separation was inevitable—but the financial implications made it a delicate matter.
“Both parties were not happy with each other. There were counter accusations from both sides, and each day, the tension was very high. Gitego was on Ksh 180,000 a month. He was the second-highest paid player at the club, and they felt he was not delivering. On top of his off-field escapades, they had to cut him off,” a close representative of Gitego was reported by Times Sport.
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But terminating a contract is not as simple as releasing a statement as with one year left on his deal, Leopards knew they could not afford to simply push him out without a financial resolution.
If they unilaterally terminated the contract, they risked a legal battle or being forced to pay the player in full for the remaining months.
Meanwhile, Gitego himself was eager to leave, having grown frustrated with his treatment by the club. The two sides were locked in a standoff, each unwilling to back down without securing their interests.
The turning point came on Monday night when the club management and Gitego, alongside his representatives, sat down for a decisive three-hour meeting. The agenda was clear—end the contract in a way that minimized financial damage to the club while ensuring Gitego walked away satisfied.
“The club made it clear to Gitego why they were releasing him. The striker agreed to the termination when the club agreed to pay him off the rest of the contract,” his representative revealed.
The key negotiation point revolved around the payout and with 12 months left on his contract, Gitego was technically entitled to receive around Ksh 2.16 million in wages. However, Leopards were desperate to avoid such a massive financial hit.
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Instead, they structured a settlement that would see them pay a reduced figure upfront, allowing them to free up their wage bill without suffering long-term financial strain.
For Leopards, the deal was a necessary sacrifice as keeping a discontented player on hefty wages while dealing with dressing room unrest was unsustainable. From a financial standpoint, cutting ties with Gitego early prevented further losses, enabling the club to reallocate funds to more stable signings.
On the player’s side, the move opens up fresh opportunities, with clubs from North Africa, particularly Libya, already circling.
His representatives are working to secure a swift transfer, leveraging the fact that Libya’s transfer window remains open. Given his proven goal-scoring record in cup competitions and his physical presence, it is likely that he will find a new home sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, the saga of Arthur Gitego at AFC Leopards will be remembered as a case of a promising signing gone sour. While his early days hinted at a prolific future in Kenyan football, a mix of off-field controversies and a hefty wage bill made his continued presence untenable.
In the end, AFC Leopards made a calculated decision—one that saved them millions and allowed both parties to move forward.
