Dec, 23rd 2020 – Kenya international Michael Olunga has been crowned as the J1-League’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 28 goals for his Kashiwa Reysol side in the season.
Olunga, who also credited his teammates, received the golden boot and became the first African player to win the MVP in the J1-League. He joined the league from Spanish side Girona where he scored a memorable hattrick against las palmas.
Just a boy from Lucky Summer receiving the 2020 J league golden boot award
— MICHAEL OLUNGA (@OgadaOlunga) December 22, 2020
God Above All🙏🏾@REYSOL_Official @J_League @DAZN_JPN @J_League_En pic.twitter.com/1PNmyiPMXc
Thanking his family and friends who helped him build his carer, Olunga posted on his facebook page saying, “Glad to be named theMost Valuable Player (MVP) 2020 in the Meiji Yasuda Jleague.”
“Firstly, I want to thank God for this opportunity and blessings throughout this season. Also, the collective effort from myself, my team mates, the entire Kashiwa Reysol fraternity and fans helped make this dream realizable for me and for this am grateful. I hope this is the beginning of more achievements in my career. Thank you all once again and happy holidays.” the 26 year old said.
Speaking to Goal after being crowned, he said, “It was a great season for me in 2020. I was able to score a lot of goals. I would like to thank the people at Kashiwa Reysol for their support. I am very honored to be Kashiwa Reysol’s first top scorer and the first African MVP.”
In 2019, he finished the season with 27 league goals as Reysol finished the J2 season as champions winning promotion to the first division. Olunga has played in China, Sweden and KPL with Tusker and Thika United and Gor Mahia.