Paul Were

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Paul Were

|image =

|caption =

|fullname = Paul Were Ooko

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|10|8}}

|birth_place = Kakuma, Kenya

|height = {{height|m=1.77}}

|position = Winger

|currentclub = Egaleo

|clubnumber = 11

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 = FISA Academy

|youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2009

|youthclubs2 = Mathare Youth

|years1 = 2010–2012 |clubs1 = Tusker |caps1 = |goals1 =

|years2 = 2012–2014 |clubs2 = A.F.C. Leopards |caps2 = |goals2 =

|years3 = 2014–2015 |clubs3 = AmaZulu |caps3 = 5 |goals3 = 0

|years4 = 2015–2016 |clubs4 = Kalloni |caps4 = 10 |goals4 = 0

|years5 = 2016–2017 |clubs5 = Acharnaikos |caps5 = 7 |goals5 = 1

|years6 = 2017–2018 |clubs6 = Kalamata |caps6 = 11 |goals6 = 3

|years7 = 2018–2019 |clubs7 = Kaisar |caps7 = 25 |goals7 = 0

|years8 = 2019 |clubs8 = Trikala |caps8 = 5 |goals8 = 0

|years9 = 2020– |clubs9 = Egaleo |caps9 = 7 |goals9 = 0

|nationalyears1 = 2011– |nationalteam1 = Kenya

|nationalcaps1 = 29 |nationalgoals1 = 3

|club-update = 18 August 2020

|ntupdate = 31 March 2017

}}

Paul Were Ooko ({{IPA|sw|ˈwɛrɛ}}; born 8 October 1993) is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays as a winger for Greek Football League club Egaleo and the Kenya national team.

Club career

=Kenyan Premier League=

On 29 January 2010, Were joined Tusker from Mathare Youth ahead of the 2010 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/shikokoti-back-at-tusker |title=Shikokoti back at Tusker |date=29 January 2010 |author=Patrick Korir |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505123503/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/shikokoti-back-at-tusker |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} Spending two and a half seasons at the club, he helped the side win the Premier League title in 2011.

Halfway through Tusker's second consecutive title winning season, Were left the Brewers to join A.F.C. Leopards on 6 June 2012 on a one-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/confirmed-afc-sign-two-players |title=Confirmed: AFC sign two players |date=6 June 2012 |author=Rodgers Eshitemi |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505141539/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/confirmed-afc-sign-two-players |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} He was named Man of the Match on his debut for Ingwe on 27 June, despite being substituted in the 75th minute by skipper Martin Imbalambala, putting in an outstanding performance that included an assist for Allan Wanga, who scored the only goal of the game against Sofapaka to earn his side all 3 points.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ingwe-bites-off-batoto-ba-mungu |title=Ingwe bites off batoto ba Mungu |date=27 June 2012 |author=Patrick Korir |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505123456/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ingwe-bites-off-batoto-ba-mungu |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/new-boy-at-ingwe-named-mvp-against-sofapaka |title=New boy at Ingwe named MVP against Sofapaka |date=27 June 2012 |author=Patrick Korir |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505123506/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/new-boy-at-ingwe-named-mvp-against-sofapaka |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} The following season, Were played 55 minutes before coming off for Oscar Kadenge to help his side clinch their 9th President's Cup title.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/gotv-shield-afc-leopards-are-2013-champions |title=GOtv Shield: AFC Leopards are 2013 Champions |date=17 November 2013 |author=Wilson Mathu |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119084505/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/gotv-shield-afc-leopards-are-2013-champions |archive-date=19 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}

On 10 February 2014, rumours of Were leaving for trials with an unnamed South African clubs began to surface.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-were-to-jet-out-for-trials |title=Paul Were to jet out for trials |date=10 February 2014 |author=Vincent Opiyo |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505141949/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-were-to-jet-out-for-trials |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} Four days later, it was reported that he was to trial with Premier Soccer League side Bidvest Wits, and consequently would not play in A.F.C. Leopards' CAF Confederation Cup second leg match away to Ethiopian side Defence, against whom he provided two assists to give his side the advantage ahead of the game on 9 February.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ingwe-ease-past-defense-sc |title=Ingwe ease past Defense SC |date=9 February 2014 |author=Jeff Kinyanjui |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070212/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ingwe-ease-past-defense-sc |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/were-hoping-to-impress-in-sa |title=Were hoping to impress in SA |date=14 February 2014 |author=Jeff Kinyanjui |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505124254/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/were-hoping-to-impress-in-sa |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} He finished a five-day trial period with the Clever Boys on 21 February before returning to Ingwe for their Confederation Cup first round tie against SuperSport United. News involving two unnamed PSL clubs expressing an interest in signing Were also surfaced.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-were-wraps-up-bidvest-wits-trials |title=Paul Were wraps up Bidvest Wits trials |date=21 February 2014 |author=Jeff Kinyanjui |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224125541/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-were-wraps-up-bidvest-wits-trials |archive-date=24 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-weres-demand-rises-in-south-africa |title=Paul Were's demand rises in South Africa |date=22 February 2014 |author=Jeff Kinyanjui |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225183347/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-weres-demand-rises-in-south-africa |archive-date=25 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}

On 23 February, Were made his first Premier League appearance of the season for A.F.C. Leopards since returning from South Africa in a barren draw against Ulinzi Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium. However, it was reported that the Bidvest Wits continued to monitor the winger during the course of the season.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/were-pinches-start-for-afc-against-ulinzi |title=Were, Pinches start for AFC against Ulinzi |date=23 February 2014 |author=Wilson Mathu |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505124242/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/were-pinches-start-for-afc-against-ulinzi |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ingwe-yet-to-register-a-win-in-2014-kpl |title=Ingwe yet to register a win in 2014 KPL |date=23 February 2014 |author=Mercy Njueh |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226210851/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/ingwe-yet-to-register-a-win-in-2014-kpl |archive-date=26 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/wits-keeping-tabs-on-paul-were |title=Wits keeping tabs on Paul Were |date=25 February 2014 |author=Jeff Kinyanjui |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505123634/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/wits-keeping-tabs-on-paul-were |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/wits-still-monitoring-paul-were |title=Wits still monitoring Paul Were |date=20 March 2014 |author=Jeff Kinyanjui |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505124024/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/wits-still-monitoring-paul-were |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}

=AmaZulu=

On 16 July 2014, Were signed a three-year contract with AmaZulu in the South African Premier Division ahead of the 2014–15 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-were-signs-with-amazulu |title=Paul Were signs with AmaZulu |date=18 July 2014 |author=Mercy Njueh |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=19 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720011636/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/paul-were-signs-with-amazulu |archive-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2014/07/19/4967616/amazulu-snatch-afc-leopards-winger-paul-were |title=AmaZulu snatch AFC Leopards winger Paul Were |date=19 July 2014 |author=Ernest Makhaya |publisher=Goal.com |accessdate=19 July 2014}} In the aftermath of their relegation from the South African top flight, Were terminated his contract in June 2015 after only one season with the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/gor-closing-in-on-former-ingwe-winger |title=Gor closing in on former Ingwe winger |date=9 June 2015 |author=Kevin Teya |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712180457/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/gor-closing-in-on-former-ingwe-winger |archive-date=12 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}

=Kalloni=

On 20 August 2015, it was announced that Were signed a contract for Superleague Greece side Kalloni. The length of the contract was undisclosed.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/4539/transfer-zone/2015/08/20/14606052/were-signs-for-greece-side-ael-kalloni |title=Were signs for Greece side AEL Kalloni |date=20 August 2015 |publisher=Goal.com |accessdate=22 September 2015}}

=Denizlispor=

On 7 August 2016, Were joined Turkish side Denizlispor on a one-year deal.{{cite web|last1=Opiyo|first1=Vincent|title=BREAKING: Kenyan winger set to join Turkish side|url=http://www.soka.co.ke/stars-abroad/item/breaking-kenyan-winger-set-to-join-turkish-side}}

International career

Were earned his first call-up to the Kenya national team for an international friendly against South Africa on 9 February 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/safa-names-strong-squad-to-face-harambee-stars |title=SAFA names strong squad to face Harambee Stars |date=6 February 2011 |author=Patrick Korir |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505141528/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/safa-names-strong-squad-to-face-harambee-stars |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }} He made his senior international debut for the Harambee Stars as a substitute for Victor Wanyama, but could not help his side prevent a 2–0 loss to Bafana Bafana at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.{{cite web |url=http://www.michezoafrika.com/Harambee%20Stars/Kenya-fall-2-0-to-South-Africa-in-friendly-tie/975.aspx |title=Kenya fall 2–0 to South Africa in friendly tie |date=10 February 2011 |author=John Munene |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014}} He was also part of the squad that finished in second place at the 2012 CECAFA Cup, providing Edwin Lavatsa with an assist to level the scores at 1–1 in the final. However, he could not help his side stop Geoffrey Kizito's match-winning header only three minutes later.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/cecafa-2012-cranes-beat-kenya-to-retain-title |title=CECAFA 2012: Cranes beat Kenya to retain title |date=8 December 2012 |author=Rodgers Eshitemi |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210132950/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/cecafa-2012-cranes-beat-kenya-to-retain-title |archivedate=10 December 2012 |df=dmy-all }}

On 6 February 2013, Were scored his first goal for his country in the 80th minute of an international friendly against Libya, sealing a 3–0 win for his side at the Stade Chedli Zouiten in Tunis, Tunisia.{{cite web |url=http://www.futaa.com/football/article/harambee-stars-smack-libya-in-friendly |title=Harambee Stars smack Libya in friendly |date=6 February 2013 |author=Wilson Mathu |publisher=Futaa.com |accessdate=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505141842/http://www.futaa.com/football/article/harambee-stars-smack-libya-in-friendly |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead }}

=International goals=

:Scores and results list Kenya's goal tally first.

class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" ! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	6 February 2013	Stade Chedli Zouiten, Tunis	{{fb\|LBY}}	{{center\|3–0}}	{{center\|3–0}}	International friendly
2.	14 June 2015	Stade Omnisport Marien Ngouabi, Owando	{{fb\|CGO}}	{{center\|1–0}}	{{center\|1–1}}	2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3.	15 November 2016	Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi	{{fb\|LBR}}	{{center\|1–0}}	{{center\|1–0}}	International friendly

Source: National-Football-Teams.com{{cite web |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/39578/Paul_Were.html |title=International goals scored by Paul Were |work=National-Football-Teams.com |accessdate=5 May 2014}}