Family pride drives Tyler Onyango’s Harambee Stars hopes

The 22-year-old midfielder, born to a Kenyan father and British mother in Luton, England, is on a season-long loan from Premier League side Everton at Stockport County.

Onyango, who made his Premier League debut for Everton in November 2021 against Manchester City, returned to Stockport on deadline day after a previous loan spell was cut short by injury last season.

Despite the setback, he impressed the Hatters’ coaching staff and is keen to use the current campaign to gain consistent minutes and rebuild momentum.

Speaking on the Added Time podcast, Onyango revealed he is open to switching international allegiance from England, whom he represented at the youth level, to Kenya.

 “It’s something I’ve thought about, and in the future, it’s something I’m open to and will look at,” Onyango said. “My main priority this season is club football and getting a good run of games, but maybe in the next 12 months it’s definitely something I’ll consider. It would make my dad and family proud, and it’s an achievement you can never take lightly.”

The midfielder also praised African football’s competitiveness and entertainment value, noting the impact African players continue to make in the Premier League.

 He added that Kenya’s head coach, Benni McCarthy, makes the prospect even more appealing, citing the recent CHAN2024  Harambee Stars exploit. 

“He’s coached at the highest level with Manchester United and knows what good looks like. That can only do good things for a national team, even looking at the performances in the recent tournament. As a player, it’s attractive to work under someone with that kind of experience,” Onyango said.

McCarthy, who took charge of Harambee Stars earlier in March, recently hinted at the possibility of calling up Onyango.

The South African tactician confirmed that he has reached out to the midfielder as part of his plan to integrate foreign-based players with Kenyan roots into the squad.

For Onyango, the immediate focus remains on delivering for Stockport in League One, but the door to Harambee Stars is firmly open.

If his development continues steadily, it may only be a matter of time before he pulls on the Kenyan jersey his father always dreamed of seeing him wear.