Akida delighted at joining Besiktas, to train with teammates this evening

Harambee Starlets lethal striker Esse Mbeyu Akida has spoken of her delight after penning a two- year deal with Turkish giants Besiktas.

Akida put pen to paper yesterday, becoming the first Kenyan to turn out for the outfit, and ahead of her first training session with her team tonight said it’s a “dream come true” to join the  Turkish powerhouse.

“I am feeling relaxed and focused. I arrived to a warm reception here at the club and I was introduced to my new colleagues. I am looking forward to start my first training with the team mates today.”

Akida joins the outfit from FC Ramat HaSsharon of Israel, a club she has been serving since 2018.

Esse has seen her career grow exponentially since her breakthrough at Spedag FC then Thika Queens where she showed class earning national team call up.

She added:  “I am very happy for the move. I didn’t imagine that one day I could feature for the giants of women football. Besiktas were attracted to my striking prowess while with Ramat HaSharon and when the chance arose I could not hesitate.”

By joining the club, she becomes the first ever East African player  to turn for the outfit and could go ahead to feature in the Uefa Women Champions League thus writing her own piece of history.

The 27 year old joins the likes of Ruth Ingosti and Annette Kundu(Cypros Lakatamia FC ), as well as Vivina Corazone Acquino(Portuguese Atletico Ouriense) as among the Kenyan women players that have joined teh professional ranks in Europe in the recent past.

Esse has played a pivotal role in the Harambee Starlets squad since 2012 notching a goal in the African Women Cup of Nations against Ghanaian Black Queens in the finals held in Limbe, Cameroon in 2016.

Deputy President William Ruto is among a host of Kenyans who applauded her move to the Turkish side.

Besiktas are currently second in the Turkish Women League with 36 points, one adrift league leaders ALG Spor.