McDonald Mariga

McDonald Mariga Wanyama is a Kenyan footballer currently playing for Inter Milan. He was born on 4 April 1987 in Nairobi, Kenya.

McDonald started his football grooming at Ulinzi Stars before joining the youth side of Tusker FC and then Pipeline FC. Mariga’s senior career started when he signed his first professional contract with a Swedish club Enköpings SK in 2005. However, he enjoyed better fortune in other Swedish side Helsingborg scoring 6 goals in 37 games for the club.

The Kenyan footballer spent the 2007/08 season on loan at Parma, before signing a two-year deal with the Italian club. He was a big asset for the team netting 3 goals in 35 games during the 2008/09 season, thus aiding his club back to Serie A.

In February 2010, Mariga joined Inter Milan for a transfer fee of €5 million. He made his debut for the Nerazzuri in the 2009 Coppa Italia semi-final match against Fiorentina. With Inter, McDonald Mariga became the first Kenyan player to feature for the UEFA Champions League. At the beginning of the 2011/12 season, he was loaned to Real Sociedad from Spanish top division and then moved on loan to Parma for a short spell.

McDonald Mariga is a regular international for the Kenya national team since 2006. He scored his maiden goal for the squad against Swaziland in March 2007.