Everything you need to know about Michael Olunga’s illustrious journey from the Lucky Summer slums to becoming one of the best strikers in Africa and Asia.
Born on March 26, 1994, at the Lucky Summer slums in Nairobi, Kenya, Michael Olunga is one of Africa’s most celebrated strikers.
The 6’3” forward is known for his towering presence on the pitch, clinical finishing, and unmatched passion for the game.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Michael Olunga in training with Al Duhail. Photo: Al Duhail
Michael Olunga: Age, Height, Net Worth, Career, Historic Harambee Stars Milestone & More
As of 2025, Olunga boasts an impressive annual income of $686,000 (KSh 83 million) from his contract with Qatari top-flight club Al-Duhail, where he earns approximately $57,000 (KSh 6.9 million) per month.
His lavish lifestyle includes a collection of high-end cars such as the Porsche Panamera, Hummer H2, Mercedes Benz, and Toyota Land Cruiser 11 4.7 V8, solidifying his reputation as a star both on and off the pitch.
Career journey
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Michael Olunga plays for Al Duhail of Qatar as a striker and he is Harambee Stars captain after the exit of Victor Wanyama.
Olunga’s football journey began while he was a student at Upper Hill School in Nairobi, playing for the Liberty Sports Academy. In 2012, he made headlines by scoring 32 goals in a single season, including a remarkable seven-goal performance in an 8–0 victory.
This incredible feat helped Liberty Sports Academy secure promotion to the Nairobi Provincial League.
In December 2012, Olunga joined Kenyan Premier League giants Tusker on a one-year loan deal, where he gained valuable experience.
He later moved to Thika United before signing with Gor Mahia in 2015. At Gor Mahia, Olunga emerged as the club’s top scorer with 19 league goals, leading the team to an unbeaten season and their 15th league title.
European Adventure:
Djurgadens IF
In February 2016, Olunga made a significant leap to European football, joining Swedish side Djurgårdens IF on a four-year deal.
His first season saw him score 12 goals in the final 12 matches of the Allsvenskan, earning a fifth-place finish on the league’s top scorers’ chart.
Despite attracting interest from top clubs like Real Betis and Club Brugge, Olunga continued to focus on his development.
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Michael Olunga has risen from humble beginnings to become Kenya’s highest-earning footballer, securing lucrative contracts across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Move to China & Spain
Olunga’s career then took him to China’s Guizhou Zhicheng in 2017, followed by a loan move to La Liga side Girona FC. On January 13, 2018, he made history by becoming the first Kenyan and Girona player to score a hat-trick in La Liga during a stunning 6–0 victory over Las Palmas.
Joining Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol
In August 2018, Olunga joined Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol, where he achieved incredible success. In 2019, he scored an astonishing eight goals in a single match during a 13–1 victory over Kyoto Sanga, helping his team win the J2 League and gain promotion to the J1 League. Olunga topped the 2020 J1 League scoring charts with 28 goals, earning the Golden Boot and becoming the first African to win the league’s MVP award.
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Kenyan players continue to impress in various leagues across the world but as the new year starts, who is the most valuable?
Al Duhail move
In January 2021, Olunga signed a lucrative deal with Al-Duhail in Qatar, where he continues to shine. He scored a hat-trick in the 2021 Emir of Qatar Cup and finished as the top scorer of the 2021 AFC Champions League. In May 2023, he led Al-Duhail to the Qatar Stars League title, scoring four goals in a decisive 5–2 victory against Al-Shamal.
Harambee Stars
Olunga made his debut for the Kenya national team on March 28, 2015, in a friendly against Seychelles. Over the years, he has become a talisman for the Harambee Stars, scoring crucial goals, including a double during Kenya’s 2019 AFCON comeback win against Tanzania. With 30 international goals to his name, Olunga is only five goals shy of William “Chege” Ouma’s record of 36, cementing his place among Kenya’s football legends.
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Harambee Stars forward Michael Olunga on the forgettable move that nearly forced him to quit football as a career.
Education
Nicknamed “The Engineer” by fans, Olunga holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geospatial Engineering from the Technical University of Kenya. He has often cited Dutch striker Robin van Persie as his role model, drawing inspiration from his technical abilities and professionalism.
Achievements and Legacy
Olunga’s illustrious career has seen him amass several titles and personal accolades, including:
Titles Won:
Kenyan Super Cup (2013, 2015)
Kenyan Premier League (2014, 2015)
J2 League (2019)
Personal Awards:
Kenyan Premier League Player of the Year (2015)
Japanese League MVP (2020)
Japanese League Top Scorer (2020)
Kenyan Outstanding Sports Personality of the Year (2021)
Michael Olunga’s journey from Liberty Sports Academy to becoming a global football icon serves as an inspiration to many aspiring footballers.
As he continues to break records and lead Kenya on the international stage, Olunga remains a shining beacon of Kenyan football talent.
