MULWANDA LUPIYA
Lusaka
AUSTRIAN giants Red Bull Salzburg have signed Zambia under-17 team captain Jonathan Kalimina on a long-term contract.
And France-based striker Samiah Phiri says it is an honour to be summoned for national duty and is relishing helping Zambia win the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) in Morocco.
Salzburg announced the capture of National League side Kafue Celtic left-back Kalimina in a statement posted on their website on Sunday.
“17-year-old left-back Jonathan Kalimina will join FC Red Bull Salzburg in January 2027, signing a long-term contract. The Zambian under-17 international has already trained with us in Salzburg several times and participated in sessions with our co-operation club, FC Liefering. He will officially join our Red Bulls in around a year,” read the statement.Kalimina will join Salzburg when he turns 18.
Kalimina, who was born on November 24, 2008, was part of the Dennis Makinka-coached Zambia that reached the round of 32 at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar last November.
Zambia lost 3-1 to Mali.
He scored from a corner kick in a 1-all draw with Brazil.
Kalimiana becomes the third Zambian to move from Celtic to Salzburg after striker Patson Daka and retired midfielder Enock Mwepu.
Leicester City forward Daka featured for Salzburg from 2017 to 2021 while Mwepu was on the books of Salzburg from 2018 to 2021.
Both Daka and Mwepu had stints at FC Liefering before they became integral members of Salzburg.
FC Liefering is a feeder club for Salzburg.
And Celtic have thanked 12 Management for creating a pathway for Kalimina and have described the move as a proud moment for the team.
“We are pleased to announce that our defender, Jonathan Kalimina, will be joining FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) in January 2027. All the best to Jonathan on his first steps to a professional football career in Europe…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
