Kenyan PM rues missed Man City deal for local lad

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NAIROBI, Feb 2, 2010 (AFP) - Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Tuesday he did all he could to have a highly-rated Kenyan international midfielder McDonald Mariga signed with the English Premier League side Manchester City.

Mariga's transfer to Manchester City floundered after being denied a work permit. He would have been the first player from the Premier League-mad east Africa country to sign for the top English league.

"I spent a minimum of three hours on phone talking to Gordon Brown's office, the Africa Office, office of Culture and Sports, the Home office and to Mariga himself," Odinga said in a statement.

"I would like to assure soccer fans and all Kenyans that together with the British High Commissioner to Kenya Rob Mcaire, I have done what I could to get Mariga into Man City FC and all is not lost," added Odinga.

Odinga, an avid footballer, said 22-year-old Mariga had obtained a work permit and could join the Premier League in the next transfer window in May.

News of Mariga's transfer bid to Manchester City sparked excitement and made headline news here.

Italian Seria A Inter Milan on Monday signed up Mariga on a four-year contract from Parma.