"Years later, I am mighty glad that our little team from Africa’s largest urban slum is still doing big things."

That is the message from Tiras Waiyaki Thuku - former coach of Ayub Timbe Masika.

Since Timbe's arrival on loan from Beijing Renhe, the interest in Reading from Kenyan football fans has understandably increased exponentially.

Timbe made his mark at a young age, including a particularly notable performance for Impala Brommapojkarna in a competition named the Carolina for Kibera tournament.

Tiras Thuku was urged to give Timbe a chance by former Celtic striker John Guidetti, who had spotted Timbe's talents.

’’I first met Ayubu at the Olympic Stadium right next to the Kibera Slums, now known as Kibra, Africa’s largest urban slum where our team was gracing the Carolina for Kibera tournament.

"John was living in Kenya with his family after his father got a job with the Swedish School in Nairobi.

"John said: 'Tiras, there is a new boy who has joined our team and his name is Ayubu, he is out of this world. You will soon meet and watch him play. This boy is really, really good.'

"Ayubu was like a little man who had obligations to fulfill. Whenever we shook hands, he made no attempt at eye contact but gave away a faint sweet smile that instantly disappeared giving way to a stern look.

"There was a defensive mechanism to him but that instantly told me his story.

"Here was a lad so determined to change his own life and that of his family. I went ahead and fielded him in my starting line-up.

"All the great stories I had heard about him were in fact an understatement, the lad was something else altogether."

Timbe repaid Tiras' faith, producing a performance in the tournament that left his new coach dumbfounded by his talent.

"I will fondly live to remember the Carolina for Kibera tournament for Ayubu’s performance that day.

"He silenced the entire Olympic Stadium. It was action after action, dumbfounding! In the first match we were pitted against much bigger looking boys.

"For an Under 14 tournament our first opponents appeared visibly over the age. On paper we stood no chance. No chance whatsoever.

"After our pep talk, the boys got onto the pitch with doubts in their heads but when the game commenced those nerves started to fade away. Guidetti, whom I simply call John, got fouled and let out as though to cry but my stern look at him would not permit for that.

"Seconds later he put through a rocketing pass that found Ayubu’s chest on the ready. In typical Hollywood demeanour the next thing we who witnessed it saw, was an acrobatic kick of a volley and the ball flew passed a hapless keeper. I instantly went bonkers for joy.

"Mouths were agape all over the stadium no one could believe it, no one. He was not done yet! His celebration entailed a sudden run and out of the blue somersaults, like former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martin.

"All the great stories I had heard about him were in fact an understatement, the lad was something else altogether.

"With time, Ayubu and Guidetti became like brothers, only the former knew how to get him talking and laughing off the pitch.

"On the pitch they were a lethal striking partnership, though at times the latter would play at the wing as I gave him freedom to roam, Ayubu sat at the top of our attack and finished off the business.

"Off the pitch they laughed together in each other’s arms. The truth is Guidetti admired Ayubu immensely for his incredible talent. So did everyone else anyway!

"Years later, I am mighty glad that our little team from Africa’s largest urban slum is still doing big things."

Years on from his time with both Guidetti and Timbe, Tiras Thuku now hopes to see his former prodigy play in the top flight of English football with Reading.

"Since this confirmation that ‘our’ Ayubu had been signed on by Reading, scores of ardent Kenyan football fans have

shown immeasurable interest in the English club evidence on which can be clearly seen on social media especially Reading’s Facebook comment section and in response to the club’s tweets.

"This love has been well reciprocated by the traditional Reading FC fan base, who have welcomed their new Kenyan counterparts with wide open arms.

"I pray for this dream’s fairy tale ending. Reading’s Kenyan fan base too is bound to grow, just as Tottenham’s, Southampton and Celtic’s did when they signed Kenyan captain Victor Wanyama at some point or the other.

"Undoubtedly, almost every Kenyan would more than love to see Ayubu sign permanently with Reading and go up to the Premier League."