Kenyan defender Frank Odhiambo secures another loan move in Sweden as he seeks more playing time and development after multiple transfers.
Former Gor Mahia central defender Frank Odhiambo has made yet another club switch in Sweden after weeks of speculation.
The Harambee Stars defender will spend the 2025 season on loan at IF Karlstad Fotboll, marking his fourth loan move since joining Swedish top-tier side Djurgårdens IF in 2022.
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Odhiambo spent the 2024 season at third-tier club AFC Eskilstuna, and his new move to Karlstad aims to offer him more playing time and development opportunities.
“Welcome to KF Frank! KF can finally announce that the 22-year-old defender Frank Odhiambo will play for the Black and Blue in 2025, on loan from Djurgårdens IF. The national team’s meritorious centre-back from Kenya latest comes from a loan to league rival AFC Eskilstuna,” read part of the club’s statement on their official Facebook account.
Karlstad CEO and Sports Manager Thomas Andersson expressed his excitement about the signing, praising Odhiambo’s defensive capabilities and potential impact on the team.
“In Frank, we get a deserved and stable center-back/upper-back who can be the difference in many games. We are very happy that he and Djurgården see KF as a good place for his development,” said Andersson.
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The club also acknowledged Odhiambo’s experience playing at the highest level in Kenya, including his stint with Gor Mahia in the Kenyan Premier League and his participation in the CAF Champions League.
“From his homeland, Frank also has experience of playing in the highest league with the club team Gor Mahia. A club he also represented in the CAF Champions League. Welcome to Black & Blue Frank!”
Karlstad, based in Värmland, was formed in 2019 following a merger between Carlstad United and Karlstad BK.
The team finished sixth in their league last season and will be aiming for a stronger performance in 2025, with hopes of securing promotion to Sweden’s second tier. Their campaign kicks off with an away match against Team TG on March 30, 2025.
Odhiambo’s career in Sweden has seen him struggle to settle in the top tier with Djurgården, leading to multiple loan spells.
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After signing a five-year deal with the club in January 2022, he initially trained with the U21 squad to gain experience. However, a finger fracture in March 2022 delayed his competitive debut, further hindering his integration into the first team.
His first loan move came in August 2022 when he joined third-tier side IFK Haninge for the remainder of the season.
The following year, he was loaned to second-tier club Vasalund IF in March but returned to Djurgården at the end of the season. In 2024, he spent the season with AFC Eskilstuna before securing his latest move to Karlstad.
While Odhiambo looks to make an impact with Karlstad, another Kenyan footballer, Henry Meja, has also made a move within Sweden.
The forward, who belongs to top-tier side AIK, has joined AFC Eskilstuna on loan for the 2025 season.
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Odhiambo will be hoping that this latest loan stint provides the breakthrough he needs to cement his place in European football.