Clarke Sydney Omondi Oduor made an immediate impact on his first night as a Grimsby Town player, featuring in their dramatic EFL Cup victory over Manchester United on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who was born in Siaya on June 25, 1999, came off the bench and stepped up for a penalty in the epic shootout.
Though he missed his kick, his side eventually triumphed 12-11 on penalties, sending shockwaves through English football.
Early Years in England
Oduor moved to the United Kingdom at a young age, where his football journey began at the Leeds United Academy in 2010.
He rose through the youth ranks, representing the U18s and U23s, before earning his senior debut in 2019 during an FA Cup clash against Queens Park Rangers—his only senior outing for Leeds.
Barnsley Breakthrough
The midfielder’s career took a big step forward in August 2019 when he signed a four-year deal with Barnsley. Over four seasons, Oduor clocked 57 appearances across the Championship, League One, FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.
His most iconic moment came in July 2020, when he scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner in Barnsley’s 2–1 victory over Brentford at Griffin Park. The goal not only secured Barnsley’s survival but also crushed Brentford’s hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League.
In the 2022/23 season, Oduor spent a loan spell at Hartlepool United, where he played 14 matches, recording one goal and two assists.
A year later, he joined Bradford City in July 2023, going on to feature in 66 matches over two seasons. His contribution included six goals and five assists, further polishing his reputation as a versatile midfielder.
New Chapter at Grimsby Town
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Grimsby Town announced Oduor’s signing, and within hours he was thrust into the spotlight against Manchester United in the EFL Cup. His debut marked the beginning of a fresh chapter in a career defined by resilience and key moments.
Though eligible to represent both England and Kenya, Oduor chose the Harambee Stars, making his debut in 2022 against Zambia. His decision to commit to Kenya has added much-needed depth to the national team’s midfield.
Currently, Oduor’s market value stands at £150,000 (KSh26.1 million). His peak valuation was recorded in February 2020 at £750,000 (KSh130.9 million), during his standout run with Barnsley.