The "signing" that nobody expected at Real Sociedad

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UEFA Europa League

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Real Sociedad Bournemouth

17/09/26 21:00:00

2.63 3.40 2.38

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Job Ochieng was close to leaving Real Sociedad for free last summer after reaching an agreement in February to join Mallorca. The Kenyan winger, aged 23, was out of contract on June 30, but the intervention of Pellegrino Matarazzo led the Basque club to renew his contract until 2028.

The decision now takes on a different dimension. Ochieng has just scored a goal and two assists in the 2-3 victory over Elche, confirming his entry into the first team rotation after starting the season with squad number 12.

Job Ochieng had an agreement to leave

His departure was much closer to happening than his current situation reflects. According to information from Radio Marca Donostia, Mallorca reached an agreement with Job Ochieng in February to sign him as a free agent at the end of the season.

The offer was around €400,000 and the operation was driven by Aritz Aduriz. At that time, the forward still belonged to Sanse and had not secured a spot in Real Sociedad's first team.

The situation changed with Pellegrino Matarazzo's intervention. The coach urged the club to make an effort to keep the player and gradually started to include him in the first team squad, providing him with a clear path to compete in LaLiga.

Ochieng made his first team list debut against Barcelona in January and later played against Celta, Athletic Club, and Elche. He also participated in the Copa del Rey semifinal and ended up being a regular presence in the first team dynamics towards the end of the season.

Real Sociedad renewed his contract until 2028

Real Sociedad reacted before losing him without a transfer fee. On February 20, 2026, four days after scoring against Malaga with the reserve team, they officially announced Ochieng's contract extension until the end of the 2027/28 season.

His performance with Sanse reinforced the decision. He ended last season with nine goals, seven of which came after February 16, while helping the reserves during the second half of the campaign.

The investment continued over the summer. Ochieng secured a first team spot and the squad number 12, gaining more prominence in a squad where his ability to attack spaces and repeat efforts offers a different option on the wings.

From being out to gaining importance in LaLiga

The next leap came at the start of LaLiga. Ochieng started at the Santiago Bernabéu and was involved in Luka Sucic's goal. Against Elche, he once again started the match and ended with a goal and two assists.

His performance at the Martínez Valero turned a February decision into one of the most significant internal operations of recent months. Real avoided losing a player who had already agreed to leave for free and now has him under contract until 2028.

Job Ochieng's next step will be to maintain his presence in Pellegrino Matarazzo's rotations. With a guaranteed contract for two more seasons and increasing minutes in the first team, his upcoming matches will determine whether he transitions from being a squad option to regularly competing for a starting position.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El "fichaje" que nadie esperaba en la Real Sociedad