Victor Wanyama

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The Celtic Star

·5 April 2026

Victor Wanyama – A player Celtic never really replaced

The best of luck to Victor Wanyama for whatever comes next. The former Celtic Star has this week called time on his playing career and is set to pursue a coaching route to stay in the game…

Victor Wanyama scores the first Celtic goal. Celtic v Barcelona match in the Champions League on 7 November 2012 at Celtic Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

This weekend the former Celtic powerhouse announced his retirement from professional football after failing to get another club after leaving Dunfermline Athletic. Wanyama is player Celtic never fully replaced….

Victor Wanyama scores the first Celtic goal. Celtic v Barcelona match in the Champions League on 7 November 2012 at Celtic Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

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Former Celtic favourite Victor Wanyama has announced his retirement from the professional game at the age of 34 as he looks set to start a new chapter in his career by entering the coaching world. And I am sure that I can speak for each and every one of us Celtic supporters in wishing him all the best in his future endeavours.

The powerhouse Kenyan midfielder, then a raw 20 year old was signed by Neil Lennon in 2011 in £900,000 deal from Belgian side Beerschot, and soon proved to be quite the bargain.

07.11.2012 Glasgow, Scotland. Tony Watt and Victor Wanyama in action during the Champions League game between Celtic and Barcelona from Celtic Park. Photo Big Lens

Victor was allocated the 67 squad number, a number synonymous around Celtic for obvious reasons, and he soon showed his true talent and potential by becoming an automatic first choice pick in Neil Lennon’s Celtic side.

His never say die attitude, as well as his athleticism and ability in the middle of the park made him a firm favourite in the eyes of the supporters, and he played an instrumental part in the club’s first title win in four years.

The next season seen the best of Victor as he proved his worth on the biggest stage of all, the Champions League, most notably scoring the first goal in the memorable 2-1 win over a star studded Barcelona side.

Gary Hooper of Celtic celebrates with Giorgios Samaras and Victor Wanyama after scoring during the UEFA Champions League Play Off Round between Celtic and Helsingborgs IF, at Celtic Park on August 29, 2012. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Victor’s form not surprisingly attracted the attention of bigger clubs and after playing a pivotal part in the hoops reaching the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition, and winning a domestic double he was soon on his way to the money laden EPL with Southampton who played a whopping £12.5 million.

Victor made his mark down south, and was soon on the move again this time swapping the south coast for North London joining Spurs in an £11 million deal.

Andres Iniesta (R) of Barcelona reacts as he duels for the ball with Victor Wanyama of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League group G match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at the Camp Nou stadium on October 23, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Injuries plagued his time down south, but he still showed his class, before moving to the MLS with FC Montreal. Victor was sensationally reunited with former boss Neil Lennon for a short spell at Dunfermline last season, and East End park proved to be his final career destination.

Victor was a powerhouse no nonsense battle hardened midfielder, something we’ve badly lacked since the Kenyan’s time in the hoops.

Best of luck for whatever comes next Victor and hail hail!

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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