Former Ulinzi stars striker Stephen Waruru. He has signed contracts for two different clubs. [photo/supersport.com]A tussle is looming between Tusker FC and Sofapaka after both teams entered into a contractual deal with international striker Stephen Waruru formerly of Ulinzi Stars.

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Waruru is bound to find himself in trouble with Kenyan Premier League (KPL) over the illegal double-signing even as Sofapaka officials said they hope to enter into negotiations with Tusker to solve the issue amicably.

Waruru, who has been training with Sofapaka from December 28, is alleged to have signed for Tusker first before he further upended his sign for a two-year contract with Batoto Ba Mungu, in what has baffled officials from both teams.

On Wednesday, Tusker Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Obiny confirmed that Waruru indeed penned a contractual deal with them but did not divulge other details including the duration. 

“We signed him (Waruru) but I cannot pre-empt what is involved because there is an impending case with KPL which in this case is a breach of rules concerning player transfer,” said Obiny.

Apparently, having realized that Waruru had signed another contract with Sofapaka and was training with them, Tusker did not unveil him among their new players in a ceremony held at Tusker Village early this week.

In the meantime, sources within Sofapaka intimated that Waruru signed a separate two-year deal with the team that came with a six-figure sign-on fee and three-month salary advance payment to boot.

“We unknowingly signed him and parted with a certain amount of money but if it is true he had initially signed for Tusker, it’s very unfortunate, to say the least,” said the source.

It further said that to bring the issue to rest to the satisfaction of both teams, Tusker will have to reimburse the money Sofapaka paid to Waruru and then have the player. Reached for comment, KPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jack Oguda said he only heard rumors of double-signing by the player but had yet to receive a formal petition from either Tusker or Sofapaka.