A month after departing the Spanish fourth-tier outfit Águilas FC, Kenyan international Ismael Athuman is set for a sensational return to third-division (Primera Federación) side Real Murcia, The Nerve Africa has exclusively learned.
Athuman allowed his contract with Águilas to expire on June 30 this year, deciding against an extension in hopes of securing a move to a higher level. He has now secured a deal to return to the team he left at the end of the 2021/22 season, having spent a year there.
The player’s brother, Ally Said Athuman, who also serves as his representative, confirmed the developments, indicating that the 29-year-old will sign a two-year contract with Real Murcia this week, pending his medical examination in Spain.
“We have been working behind the scenes, hoping to secure what we believe is the best option for Ismael (Athuman). We’re optimistic that a return to Real Murcia is the best possible choice, as he still has unfinished business there. Yes, we all agreed that two years is appropriate. Ismael still has a lot to offer,” Ally Said Athuman told The Nerve Africa in an interview.
The player leaves Águilas after making 23 appearances last season across the Segunda RFEF (Fourth Division) and the prestigious Copa del Rey. He also scored two goals and provided one assist.
Athuman, who can play both as a midfielder and a right-back, has spent his career in Spain, playing for CE Sabadell, Las Palmas, Fuenlabrada, Recreativo Granada, and CP Cacereño, amassing over 130 competitive appearances.
Valued at €100,000 by Transfermarkt, Athuman, who made his international debut in 2016, has appeared 11 times for the Kenyan national senior team, the Harambee Stars. However, his last appearance for the national team was five years ago, in 2019.
