简体中文
Kenyan striker Ayub Timbe (L) shoots during the 2019 African Cup of Nations Group C match against Algeria in Cario, Egypt on June 23, 2019. Algeria won 2-0. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Beijing Renhe striker Ayub Timbe, who is loaned to Reading by the Chinese side, expresses willing to end his career in his home country Kenya.
NAIROBI, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan striker Ayub Timbe, who is on loan at Reading in England from Chinese Super League Club Beijing Renhe, says he will be happy to end his career in Kenya.
Timbe, who made his move to Europe as a 14-year-old, signing up for Belgian side Anderlecht back in 2006, says he will return to China once his loan move ends.
The 28-year-old has never played in the Kenyan Premier League. He moved to Chinese second-tier side Beijing Renhe in February 2017 after stints in Belgium where he played for both Anderlecht and Genk and was also with Beerschot AC in Germany.
In his debut season in China, he scored eight goals and helped promote Renhe to the country's top football tier, the Chinese Super League, in spite of suffering from an ankle injury in October 2017.
Ayub Timbe (C) shoots during the 2019 African Cup of Nations Group C match between Kenya and Tanzania in Cairo, Egypt, June 27, 2019. Kenya won 3-2. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
"So far at Reading in England it has been okay for me. I have settled really well and I like it there. The contract talks have not commenced. I am in Reading on loan and we are waiting for the real talks. We haven't talked about anything yet," Timbe told reporters in Nairobi on Sunday.
With coronavirus stalling all football activities in England, Timbe will have to bite his time knowing should it fail to go well, he will return back to the Chinese Super League for his mother club Beijing Renhe.
Ayub Timbe (L) vies for the ball with Zambian players during Kenya'smatch in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Sept. 6, 2015. Zambia won 2-1. (Xinhua/Simbi Kusimba)
Timbe emerged from a knee operation to feature for the Kenya national football team Harambee Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He lauded French coach Sebastian Migne for putting his trust in him.
"I was down and out with an injury, I had just cleared my rehabilitation and the coach was courageous to draft me in the team. Honestly, we started on a poor note because he wanted me to do things that were not for me, but later we settled down and he accepted my style," Timbe said. ■
