Tanzania’s Kelvin John joins Belgium’s KRC Genk

Belgium’s top side KRC Gent have announced the signing of Tanzania national team youthful striker Pius Kelvin John.

The 18-year year old has signed a three year contract with KRC Genk who finished 4th in the 2020/2021 Belgium Division A League.

“Welcome Kelvin,” said the club on the official website today.

Wilfred Kidao, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) General Secretary said this is a good move for the player and Tanzania. “He is a terrific goal scorer at the age of 18 and the first Tanzanian to get a chance to play professional football in Europe at the age of 18,” added Kidao.

Kelvin John until recently has been active with a reputed Brooke House Football Academy in Leicester. The Belgian team had to wait till he made 18 year to sign a professional contract.

Nicknamed ‘the Tanzanian Mbappe’ Kelvin John played in the 2018 AFCON U-17 event, 2021 AFCON U-20 event and was top scorer in the 2019 CECAFA U-20 Challenge Cup where he lead Tanzania to victory. He was also pre-selected for the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Taifa Stars skipper Mbwana Ally Samatta was the first local Tanzanian player to play in the Belgian League where he featured for Genk from 2016-2019. Samatta later joined Aston Villa in the English Premier League side, and Turkish club Fenerbahçe where he is currently playing.