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The forward had a difficult start to his European adventure after falling out of favour at AIK but left his parent club with a big decision to make after shining on loan at Norrby.
Henry Atola Meja left Tusker FC for Europe with a big reputation having shone for the Brewers and hoped to take his career to the next level by plying his trade in the Swedish top tier.
The 21-year-old signed for Swedish top-flight side AIK Solna in September 2021, penning a five-year contract, and hoped to hit the ground running at the club which is also home to Kenyan compatriot Collins Sichenje who is out on loan at Finnish side KuPS and Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.
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10:13 - 08.08.2023
FOOTBALL Reformed Kenyan street boy completes move to Belarusian club after transfer saga
The midfielder roamed the streets of Nyahururu, Nakuru, and Nairobi after fleeing the bandit-infested area of Baragoi due to the rampant cattle rustling.
After all, he had bagged 10 league goals for Tusker in the 2020-21 Football Kenya Federation Premier League campaign which was his debut season, and a continuation of that was expected.
How has it gone for Henry Atola Meja in Sweden?
Things have not gone according to plan, as Henry Atola Meja found himself playing only 14 minutes in over one year, most of it as late substitutes.
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14:45 - 18.05.2023
STARS ABROAD: Collins Sichenje - From Green Commandos to greener pastures
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The player was subsequently loaned out to Swedish third-tier side Norrby in search of regular playing time in January 2023 and it seems to have been a well-informed decision.
The former Green Commandos star showed AIK what they were missing when he scored four league goals for Norrby in 14 matches while also finding the back of the net once in three Svensk Cupen (cup) matches.
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Given he signed a five-year contract with AIK, Henry Atola Meja’s form left his parent club with a big decision to make. They either recall him but offer him opportunities to play regularly or keep him at Norrby to continue his development.
A tall centre-forward who is good with his back to goal and blessed with pace, the striker is capable of hitting it in the Swedish top tier if given opportunities but it will be of no use to him to return to AIK only to sit on the bench, having shown what he is capable of at Norrby.
Playing regularly will also help Henry Atola Meja get selected more often for the national team Harambee Stars, for who he has earned five caps, having been first selected on March 15, 2021, when Kenya hosted Tanzania. He replaced Lawrence Juma in the 70th minute of the match which Kenya won 2-1.
Henry Atola Meja came through the ranks of Green Commandos when they were playing in the National Super League (NSL), having been signed from Kakamega-based Arsenal Lihrembe FC after winning the Golden Boot award at the 2018 and 2019 Cleophas Malala Super Cup.
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09:16 - 25.05.2023
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The 18-year-old joined IF Elfsborg with a big reputation after a 15-goal involvement for City Stars.
He signed a three-year contract with Tusker FC in January 2020 after turning down overtures from AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz so that he could play alongside his brother Sammy Meja at the Robert Matano-coached Brewers.
Henry Atola Meja announced his top-flight arrival in style, coming of the bench to score the winner as Tusker beat Gor Mahia 2-1 in December 2020, and in January 2021, he was named Tusker Player of the Month after scoring four goals while providing an assist.
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15:00 - 07.08.2023
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By this time, the forward was already catching the eyes of clubs outside the country and was reported in March 2021 to have been the subject of interest from Egyptian and Tanzanian giants Zamalek and Simba SC respectively.
It was, therefore, no surprise when he was signed by the Swedish club, who reportedly paid Tusker over Ksh16 million for his services.
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12:33 - 05.08.2023
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia fans: Kenya Police in Kigali, Tusker in Arusha, Homeboyz in Kampala but where are K’Ogalo going?
Some K’Ogalo supporters have raised concern over the team’s pre-season schedule with their rivals pitching camp in neighbouring countries
Following his rollercoaster ride in Sweden so far, the future looks bright for Henry Atola Meja but the environment has to be right for him to continue thriving.
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