There is a Kenyan sitting in one of the most powerful recruitment rooms in the English Premier League — and his name is Naythan Din-Kariuki.
The former Kariobangi Sharks coach, who grew up in Nairobi and turned his love of football data into a global career, has been named as a winner in the prestigious 2025 Football Black List Awards. He joins Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze, Manchester City manager Kolo Toure, and Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada as one of football’s most celebrated Black professionals.
This is Kenya’s moment to own.
The Full Story: How He Got Here
Early Life & Kenya
Din-Kariuki’s football journey started in the most Kenyan way possible — on the grassroots pitch. He took his first professional role at Kariobangi Sharks in Nairobi’s SportPesa League, working as a goalkeeper coach. But even then, it was clear his mind worked differently. He was drawn to patterns, data, and the science behind player performance.
He made a bold decision: pivot from goalkeeping coaching to performance analysis. It was a gamble that paid off beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.
Europe Calls
His analytical skills caught the attention of clubs beyond Kenya’s borders. He moved to AC Horsens in Denmark, gaining his first taste of European football operations. From there, a move to Oxford United in England followed — a significant step into one of the world’s most competitive football ecosystems.
Aston Villa and the Premier League
Today, Din-Kariuki holds the title of Lead Data Scout at Aston Villa Football Club — a Premier League giant with a rich history and serious ambitions. In this role, he is at the center of the club’s talent identification strategy. He analyses player data, monitors emerging talent globally, and helps align recruitment decisions with the club’s tactical and financial philosophy.
Every player Aston Villa considers signing passes through the analytical process that Din-Kariuki helps shape. That is real power at the highest level of football.
