Kampala, Uganda: The 2025 international football transfer window officially opened on Sunday, June 1, and Uganda Premier League sides are already making bold moves as top players head for the exit.
At KCCA FC, a major squad overhaul is underway with up to seven players expected to leave following the expiry of their contracts. Among them are Brazilian striker João Gabriel Esteves Cardoso, Usama Arafat, Sadat Anaku, Filbert Obenchan, Etienne Katenga, and Musitafa Mujuzi, who all reached the end of their contracts and are now free agents.
Umar Lutalo, who joined KCCA on a six-month deal from Kitara FC in January, is also expected to move on.
Double-winning champions Vipers SC are reportedly interested in swooping for Usama Arafat and Etienne Katenga, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of next season’s CAF Champions League campaign.
KCCA, who endured a disappointing campaign, finishing fifth in the league and losing the Uganda Cup final to Vipers, is also in the market for a new head coach.
Interim manager Jackson Magera Kaddu is expected to step aside following the sacking of Abdallah Mubiru earlier this year as the Cityzens seek around for a permanent manager.
Meanwhile, SC Villa is also facing player departures. Midfield anchor Ronald Ssekiganda, winger Patrick Jonah Kakande, and defender Aslam Ssemakula are all out of contract, while Arnold Odong and Tonny Atukunda have been granted permission to speak to other clubs as they enter the final six months of their deals.
On the International Scene
Manchester United are said to be in talks to sign Brentford’s Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, while Liverpool’s €120 million bid for German playmaker Florian Wirtz has been rejected by Bayer Leverkusen, who are holding out for €150 million.
Chelsea are tracking Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite (previously linked with a move to Old Trafford), though they face competition from Europa League winners Tottenham, who consider the English defender a perfect replacement for Cristian Romero, rumoured to be on the verge of exit.
The Blues are also eyeing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens as a potential summer addition after talks to sign Jadon Sancho permanently from Man United failed to materialize.
Manchester City is close to securing the signature of Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, while Arsenal is working to tie down teenage talent Myles Lewis-Skelly amid growing interest from Real Madrid.
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