The former Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeping coach, who is now the lead analyst at English Premier League outfit Aston Villa, has landed a major scouting role at UEFA.

Kenyan recruitment analyst Naythan Din-Kariuki has been selected to join the highly coveted UEFA Elite Scout Programme (ESP) — a milestone achievement that comes just over a year after his appointment as First Team Recruitment Analyst at English Premier League side Aston Villa.

Din-Kariuki, who joined Villa in August 2024 as the club prepared for its return to the UEFA Champions League, announced the news via his LinkedIn profile.

“Excited to share that I’ve been accepted onto the UEFA Elite Scout Programme (UEFA Academy), beginning Tuesday in London,” he wrote.

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“It’s a small cohort, and I feel truly honoured to be included. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the game and gain insight into different perspectives and processes.

“ From the conversations already happening in the group, the diverse mix of backgrounds — including former players, heads of recruitment, coaches and data-driven scouts — promises to make this a fantastic learning environment.

“Looking forward to bringing fresh ideas back to my work at Aston Villa Football Club.”

According to UEFA, the Elite Scout Programme is a three-month international course designed to equip professional scouts with advanced tools and insights to operate at the highest levels of football. 

Delivered through the UEFA Academy, the ESP blends classroom learning, networking, and applied case studies across European football clubs.

Din-Kariuki’s inclusion in the programme marks a significant career step for the fast-rising Kenyan analyst, whose journey in football began locally. 

Before moving into talent recruitment, he notably served as a goalkeepers’ coach at Kariobangi Sharks, one of Kenya’s Premier League clubs.