Villa Park, England
Aston Villa Football Club has promoted Naythan-Din Kariuki to Lead Data Scout, effective March 11, marking a significant step in the Kenyan professional's burgeoning career with the English Premier League team.
Kariuki announced the promotion via LinkedIn, signaling his transition from First Team Recruitment Analyst, a position he held for just under a year. Kariuki’s new role positions him at the forefront of Aston Villa’s recruitment strategy, integrating data analysis with traditional scouting methods to inform the club’s player acquisitions.
This approach is increasingly vital for Premier League teams seeking a competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions. The club currently sits eighth in the Premier League, four points outside of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification spots. Their success under coach Unai Emery has been, in part, attributed to strategic recruitment. Aston Villa also holds a 3-1 aggregate lead over Club Brugge in the UCL Round of 16.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Kariuki brings a strong understanding of both English and African football to the role, supported by postgraduate degrees in Sports Business & Leadership and Performance Analysis. His expertise spans player recruitment, performance analysis, opposition evaluation, and market assessment. He will collaborate closely with the coaching staff, utilizing advanced scouting software to enhance the club’s overall strategy.
Prior to joining Aston Villa, Kariuki gained experience at Oxford United Football Club, AC Horsens, and Eden Sports Group in various analytical capacities. His experience in Kenya includes a 2016 stint as the goalkeeper coach for Kariobangi Sharks in the Kenya Premier League. He also co-founded East African Eye, an independent scouting and football data service focused on identifying and promoting talent from East Africa.
Kariuki’s rise reflects a growing trend of Kenyan professionals making an impact in international football. Tottenham Hotspur’s full-back, Djed Spence, has Kenyan roots, and former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama previously played in the EPL for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.