From Baringo to Vigo: Aldrine Kibet’s Bold Leap into European Football
In mid‑July 2025, Aldrine Kibet, the Kenyan U‑20 midfield talent, sealed a four‑year contract with RC Celta de Vigo, officially joining their reserve side, Celta Fortuna. The deal reportedly had a valuation of around €6 million (about KSh 900 million)
Where Did the USD 38,464 Monthly Salary Claim Come From?
A widely circulated claim suggests that Kibet is earning USD 38,464 per month, roughly KSh 5 million. However:
There is no official confirmation of that figure.
The move appears to have been completed on a free transfer, typical for youth academy promotions .
As a reserve‑team player in Spain’s Primera Federación, his likely base salary would be modest approximately €1,286 per month, paid in 14 installments annually, equivalent to about KSh 193,000
It’s only if and when Kibet debuts for Celta’s La Liga squad that his earnings could align with the claimed figures La Liga contracts typically offer starting salaries around €182,000/year (about KSh 27 million annually) .
If true, the reported salary places Kibet’s monthly pay among the highest earnings for Kenyan footballers abroad. But even without that figure, his story is remarkable:
He becomes only the third Kenyan linked to play professionally in Spain, following McDonald Mariga and Michael Olunga .
His contract signed on 16 July 2025 stretches until 2029, positioning him as a centerpiece in Celta’s long-term development plans .
As a member of the B team (Celta Fortuna), Kibet will compete in Spain’s third-tier league (Primera Federación), which sits two divisions below La Liga. It’s a critical developmental step Celta has a strong history of promoting its academy graduates to the senior side .
Born on 13 June 2006 in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, Kibet officially backed his passion with a standout performance at the 2023 KSSSA Games, scoring 25 goals and providing 27 assists, earning MVP honours .
He won a scholarship through Kenya’s Talanta Hela initiative to join Spain’s Nàstic Sports Academy, where he continued to shine, including MVP at the Valladolid International Cup .
Benni McCarthy, Harambee Stars head coach and former Celta player, has praised Kibet as being in an ideal environment for growth, and encouraged him to learn Spanish quickly in order to adapt both on and off the field .
📊 Context: What His Real Salary May Look Like
Category Monthly Salary Estimate
Primera Federación Base ≈ €1,286/month (~KSh 193,000)
If promoted to La Liga ≥ €15,000/month (~≥ KSh 2.2 million)
Rumored USD 38,464/month ≈ €35,000/month (~KSh 5 million) Unverified claim
While the USD 38,464/month figure remains unsubstantiated, Kibet’s journey from Kitale schools to Spain’s elite football infrastructures is undeniably historic. His transfer is not just a personal victory it flies Kenya’s flag high in the global football scene.
True success for Kibet lies in earning his spot in La Liga, where opportunities for higher contracts and elite visibility await. Whether or not his future earnings mirror the sensational monthly figure, his bold move is already making history.
