Timothy Ouma is set to join Czech giants Slavia Praha from Elfsborg, but the metrics show why Premier League clubs, such as Bretford, will continue monitoring his progress ahead of a potential move there in future.
Kenyan midfielder Timothy Ouma is set to complete a sensational multi-million shilling transfer to Czech heavyweights Slavia Prague.
Reports from Sweden indicate the 20-year-old joined Slavia from IF Elfsborg for a record-breaking fee of 40 million Swedish Kronor (approximately Ksh473 million).
Ouma, who underwent a medical earlier in the week, finalized the move in what Swedish outlet Sportbladet described as a landmark deal, including a 20% resale clause for his former club.
“Elfsborg sells Timothy Ouma to Slavia Prague for over 40 million kronor. The transfer is complete, the medical examination has been completed, and Elfsborg has over 20% in the resale clause. Presentation is expected this weekend,” the publication posted on X (formerly Twitter).
A meteoric rise in Sweden
Since joining Elfsborg in 2022 from FKF Premier League club Nairobi City Stars, Ouma has made remarkable strides, including his current Europa League campaign.
Sweden has often been used as a route upon which Kenyan players end up making it to the top flight, with the likes of Victor Wanyama, McDonald Mariga and Joseph Okumu beneficiaries.
The midfielder has featured in 13 matches from qualifiers to the tournament proper, scoring twice and registering an assist.
His standout performances on the European stage attracted attention from clubs in England, Italy, and France, but it is Slavia Prague who managed to secure his signature.
Why Europe’s top clubs want him
According to data compiled by FB Ref, Ouma’s numbers make a compelling case for his growing reputation.
Over the past 365 days, his percentile rankings highlight his all-around capabilities, especially considering Elfsborg’s limited possession in the Europa League (36.7%).
Attack and Creativity
The metrics showing why Premier League clubs are watching Harambee Stars’ Timothy Ouma
Ouma is in the 89th percentile for non-penalty goals among midfielders, averaging 0.19 goals per match. He matches this with 0.19 assists per 90 minutes, excelling in his role as part of a double pivot.
His ability to beat defenders is among the best in Europe, completing 1.49 take-ons per 90 minutes, placing him in the 96th percentile.
Defensive prowess
With Elfsborg often on the back foot, Ouma has proven his defensive mettle. He averages 2.43 clearances per 90 minutes (94th percentile) and excels in reading the game, being in the 99th percentile for interceptions with 2.24 per 90 minutes. Ouma’s tackling ability is equally impressive, averaging 2.80 tackles per 90 minutes.
These numbers have earned him comparisons to some of Europe’s best midfielder, such as Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana.
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The metrics showing why Premier League clubs are watching Harambee Stars’ Timothy Ouma
Areas for improvement
There are certain areas where Ouma must improve. His passing accuracy stands at 67%, placing him in the bottom 1st percentile, while his progressive passing and carrying metrics rank in the 22nd and 13th percentiles, respectively.
Domestically, his numbers in Sweden’s Allsvenskan league mirror these trends. Ouma has made 23 appearances, starting 17 matches, and his heatmap underscores his tireless box-to-box contributions. However, his passing accuracy in league play is just 68%, according to Sofascore.
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The metrics showing why Premier League clubs are watching Harambee Stars’ Timothy Ouma
What has been said of him?
Ouma’s rise to prominence began when former Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat spotted him playing for Nairobi City Stars. “I am the one who identified him and trusted him to play,” Firat said, reflecting on Ouma’s journey.
“I was watching a Nairobi City Stars match, and a 17-year-old Timothy Ouma came on late in the game. I saw his potential and decided to call him to the national team.
“People wrote sensational stories about me, but I still let him play. When the Swedish side came knocking, I gave a good account of him. Look at where he is now; we have a 20-year-old in the books of many European teams.”
Why Slavia Prague is the right move
While clubs like Brentford and Sheffield United have shown interest, Ouma’s move to Slavia Prague may be the perfect stepping stone. The Czech giants regularly compete in European tournaments, offering Ouma a platform to further develop and refine his skills.
With Ouma’s talent and determination, his move to Slavia Prague might just be the beginning of a journey that could see him eventually compete in Europe’s top leagues, including the English Premier League.
