Ex-KCCA FC Midfielder Okello Joins Vipers SC

Vipers SC have signed former KCCA FC midfielder Allan Jolly Okello. This is a few days after the player agreed to terminate his contract with Algeria-based club Paradou AC. 

Vipers announced Okello’s arrival in a brief press statement on the club’s website.

“Uganda Cranes attacker Allan Okello has joined Uganda Premier League Champions Vipers SC. Joining as a free agent having parted with Algerian side Paradou AC, Okello joined the Kitende-based side on a three-year contract.” Reads part of the statement.

On 11th September 2023, Okello, 23 announced in a social media post that he had reached an agreement with Paradou AC, to terminate his four-year contract, just days after concluding a year-long loan spell at his mother club, KCCA FC. 

While many anticipated Okello's return to the Kampala giants, he surprised many by opting to join their rivals, Vipers.  “I am so happy to join Vipers Sports Club! I am so excited to be here at this big club and l didn’t have to think twice when Vipers called me, l just knew l wanted to sign for the club. I can’t wait to get started with the team.” Okello said.

Okello's football journey began when he joined the KCCA Soccer Academy in 2015. For two years, he honed his skills with the club's Junior Team in the FUFA Juniors League before making the leap to the senior team in 2017, at just 16 years old. 

The midfield sensation shot to stardom in 2017 when he made his professional debut for KCCA FC in a memorable match against Onduparaka FC. In that game, KCCA FC won 7-0, with Okello scoring a hat trick. He soon became a regular starter for the team. 

In 2020, the Algerian outfit, Paradou AC, secured Okello's services on a four-year contract.

But before departing KCCA FC in January 2020, Okello was one of the most highly-rated young talents, and many of the club's fans believed it was time for him to seek new challenges beyond the Uganda Premier League. Over the course of his three-year stint with KCCA FC, Okello played an impressive 112 games and netted 39 goals. 

At the time of his departure to Paradou in January 2020, Okello held the distinction of being the Uganda Premier League's top scorer, with six goals during the first round of the 2019/2020 season. 

However, Okello struggled to find his top form during his initial season at Paradou and opted for a one-year loan spell back at his beloved KCCA FC and even during this stint, he managed to make a significant impact, contributing five goals and eight assists before going back to Paradou where his contract was eventually terminated on mutual agreement. 

Okello now joins Vipers SC as the latest addition to the Kitende-based squad, following the signings of Grant Matsiko, Richard Matovu, Patrick Paul Mbowa, David Bagoole, Fumador Asiwome, and Mohamed Salem Ekbad. 

Meanwhile, the youngster joins a list of Ugandan professional football returnees who joined Uganda Premier League clubs from their professional clubs in this particular transfer window including Gavin Kizito and Enock Walusimbi.