Kansas City Current adds to roster with forward Jereko, Kenya National Team captain

The Kansas City Current might be second in the NWSL and have two championship games on the horizon. But the club won’t be accused of resting on its laurels.

The Current announced on Friday that it had signed Mwanalima Adam Jereko, who goes by Jereko, from Turkish team Hakkarigücü Spor. The contract runs through the 2025 season with an option for 2026.

“I can’t wait to get to Kansas City and play for the Current,” Jereko said, via the team’s news release. “The organization has been incredible with me, and I am very excited to be part of this club.”

The move comes a few days after forward Claire Lavogez officially departed the Current. She signed with Real Sociedad in Spain’s La Liga F after a mutual agreement to terminate her contract with Kansas City.

Jereko is the captain of the Kenyan national team. She spent most of her early career with Thika Queens FC in her home country and was the league’s top scorer in 2021.

Later that year, she moved to Turkey with Hakkarigücü Spor, scoring 10 goals in 17 games of her debut season. She became the captain in 2023, scoring 23 goals.

“Jereko is an exciting player that will be a great fit here,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski in the team’s release. “Her enthusiasm, skill and work ethic are exactly what we are looking for as we get back into the regular season.”

The signing of Jereko marks the Current’s third acquisition during the summer window. The team has already added defender Alana Cook, who has played in every game she was available for since joining on August 1. On Wednesday, the team also debuted goalkeeper Almuth Schult in a 3-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

The KC Current has also released defender Allie Long, who was signed on a short-term injury-replacement contract, and national team replacement players Grace Bahr and Sabrina Weinman.

The KC Current roster currently stands at 25 players, with room for another addition before the secondary transfer window closes.

The Current take on Atletico Madrid on Saturday night at CPKC Stadium — the championship game of The Women’s Cup. Atletico are defending champions of the tournament, and the Current has an opportunity to win its first trophy. The match kicks off at 8 p.m. Central.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.