Ochieng stakes first-team claim at Real Sociedad after breakout year | OneFootball

Real Sociedad end the season convinced they have unearthed a prospect in 23-year-old forward Job Ochieng, whose breakout with Sanse has pushed him towards the first team.

With one match left in LaLiga Hypermotion, the Kenyan wide man has nine goals in 25 outings and two assists. AS reports that an injury on Kenya duty halted his rise, sidelining him for several games and coinciding with a slump under Ansotegi.

Even so, he achieved his Primera debut on seven February under Pellegrino Matarazzo against Elche at Anoeta, a game that ended in a win. He has since made two top-flight appearances and featured in the Copa del Rey.

Matarazzo has closely tracked the B team in Donostia. Before the final league meeting with Espanyol he said he wanted to test players in Cornellá, naming Ochieng, who started and impressed.

The coach stressed that speed cannot be taught and felt Ochieng showed why he can be dangerous running into space. He accepted it was not a top performance, yet underlined the clear potential and reasons for optimism.

He will join first-team pre-season with a genuine chance to stay. Sanse’s safety in Segunda lets Real Sociedad alternate him between groups at least until January. His deal was extended to 2028 on 26 February amid summer interest, and the club see ample room for improvement.

Source: AS