Aston Villa, a prominent Premier League club, has bolstered its recruitment department with the appointment of Kenyan football scout and analyst Naythan Din-Kariuki as the new First Team Recruitment Analyst. This move comes as Villa prepares for their return to the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming 2024-25 season, marking their first appearance in the prestigious tournament since 1882-83 when it was known as the European League.
Din-Kariuki's arrival at Aston Villa follows his impactful tenure at Oxford United FC, an English League One club, where he demonstrated his expertise in data analysis, technical scouting, and administration. His appointment underscores Villa's commitment to enhancing their recruitment strategies and leveraging advanced analytics to identify top talent.
With a comprehensive understanding of the English Football League (EFL) and African football landscape, Din-Kariuki holds postgraduate degrees in Sports Business and Leadership from Loughborough University and Performance Analysis from Middlesex
University. His multifaceted skill set, and vast experience make him a valuable addition to Aston Villa's recruitment team.
In addition to Din-Kariuki's appointment, Aston Villa's striker Ollie Watkins has received a nomination for the Premier League' s Player of the Season award. Watkins, aged 28, has been a standout performer for Villa, showcasing his scoring prowess with 19 goals and 12 assists during the season.
His remarkable contributions on the field, including a memorable hat-trick against Brighton and Hove Albion and multiple braces, have solidified his status as one of the league's top performers.
Despite facing stiff competition from other Premier League stars such as Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Virgil van Dijk, Watkins' outstanding performances make him a strong contender for the prestigious accolade.
As Aston Villa gears up for their Champions League campaign, the addition of Naythan Din-Kariuki to their recruitment team signifies their ambition to strengthen the squad and compete at the highest level of European football. With his analytical expertise and comprehensive knowledge of the game, Din-Kariuki is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Villa's future success in the transfer market.
