Highly-rated Kenyan midfielder Zechariah Nahum Obiero is set to finalize a loan move to English Championship outfit Birmingham City FC from EFL League One side Leyton Orient in the next 48 hours, The Nerve Africa has exclusively learned.
Obiero, 19, has been the subject of interest from several English lower league teams, including Oxford United and MK Dons, throughout the ongoing transfer window. However, the player has turned down each of these offers, consistently expressing his preference to join a team in a more advanced league if a move were to occur.
In recent days, Birmingham has been in contact with CAA Steller, Obiero’s representatives, and personal terms have been agreed upon with the player. The club, however, sought a loan deal with an option to buy permanently from Leyton Orient at the end of the 2024/25 season.
A source close to the player’s family confirmed the developments.
“Zech (Obiero) has been respectful to Leyton Orient and insisted he wouldn’t move unless the club was satisfied with the terms. With the agreements in place, he will be able to join Birmingham within the next 48 hours, subject to medical tests.”
It is worth noting that in April this year, Obiero signed a two-year contract extension with Leyton Orient. As a result, the club has held a strong position in the negotiations, given the player’s high financial value.
Meanwhile, the player, whose TransferMarkt valuation is estimated at €75,000, has been with Leyton Orient throughout his youth, playing in their U18 and U21 teams. He has also had previous loan spells at Chelmsford City FC and Cheshunt.
On the international stage, while he holds both English and Kenyan citizenships, it is with the latter that he received a previous call-up to the senior national team, the Harambee Stars. He was summoned to Kenya’s most recent squad for the World Cup qualifiers but has yet to make his long-awaited debut.
