Ayub Timbe Masika is a Kenyan professional footballer who has built one of the most extensive international careers of any player from the country.
The winger has played professionally in Belgium, China, England, Japan, Thailand and Azerbaijan before returning to Belgium with Crossing Schaerbeek.
Early Life and Education
Ayub Timbe Masika was born on September 10, 1992, in Nairobi, Kenya.
He developed an interest in football at a young age and joined local youth football structures before earning an opportunity to continue his development in Belgium.
Timbe spent time with Ligi Ndogo and JMJ Academy before moving abroad, where he joined the youth systems of Anderlecht, Germinal Beerschot and later KRC Genk.
Ayub Timbe’s Career
KRC Genk
After progressing through the youth ranks at Belgian side KRC Genk, Timbe signed his first professional contract with the club in 2010.
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The move to Belgium at a young age provided him with exposure to professional European football and laid the foundation for his future career.
He made his senior debut on January 15, 2012, in a Belgian Pro League match against Zulte Waregem, becoming one of the few Kenyan players to break into a top European club’s first team at the time.
His first assist for Genk came two weeks later in a 5-0 victory over Oud-Heverlee Leuven, while his first senior goal arrived on August 30, 2012, in a UEFA Europa League play-off match against Swiss club FC Luzern.
Although competition for places limited his opportunities, Timbe gained valuable experience playing alongside several future international stars and was part of a successful Genk period that saw the club win the 2011-12 Belgian Super Cup and the 2012-13 Belgian Cup.
Across his time with the first team, he made around 30 league appearances before seeking regular football elsewhere.
Lierse
Seeking more first-team football, Timbe joined Belgian side Lierse on a two-year loan deal from Genk in September 2014.
The winger announced himself quickly. On September 24, 2014, he scored his first goal for Lierse in a 4-0 Belgian Cup victory over Sint-Truiden.
During his loan period, Timbe became one of the club’s most dangerous attacking players, earning praise for his pace, dribbling ability and direct approach against defenders.
His performances convinced Lierse to sign him permanently in July 2016 on a three-year contract.
Across his loan and permanent spells, Timbe made more than 60 appearances for the Belgian club and scored around 14 goals in all competitions.
Beijing Renhe
Timbe took a major step in his career when he left Belgium for Chinese side Beijing Renhe in February 2017.
During his time with Beijing Renhe, Timbe helped the club secure promotion to the Chinese Super League and quickly established himself as a key attacking player.
According to club and career records, he scored 17 goals in 49 appearances, making China the most statistically successful period of his club career.
In 2018, he was loaned to second-tier side Heilongjiang Lava Spring, where he maintained his scoring form by netting two goals in six appearances.
Reading FC
Timbe’s strong performances in China earned him a move to England in January 2020 when Championship side Reading signed him on loan from Beijing Renhe until the end of the season.
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However, his time in England coincided with a difficult period.
Competition for places limited his opportunities, and shortly after his arrival, football was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Timbe made two Championship appearances for Reading during his loan spell.
Vissel Kobe
After his spell in England, Timbe returned to Asia in March 2021 when Japanese top-flight side Vissel Kobe signed him on a one-and-a-half-year contract.
Timbe made eight league appearances for the club.
Buriram United
After a brief stint in Japan with Vissel Kobe, Timbe signed for Thai giants Buriram United in December 2021.
Timbe’s move to Thai giants Buriram United in December 2021 marked the most successful period of his career in terms of trophies.
Timbe went on to make 13 Thai League appearances and scored two goals for the club.
His first season ended with Buriram completing a domestic treble.
The club won the Thai League 1 title, the Thai FA Cup and the Thai League Cup, making Timbe one of the few Kenyan footballers to be part of a treble-winning side abroad.
After leaving Buriram United, Timbe returned to China in 2023 when he joined Nanjing City.
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During his spell at Nanjing City, Ayub Timbe made 20 league appearances and scored one goal.
In 2024, the winger moved to Azerbaijan and signed for Premier League side Sabail FK.
The transfer added another country to an already extensive football résumé that included spells in Belgium, China, England, Japan and Thailand.
Timbe featured in 14 league matches for the club during the 2024 campaign.
After his stint in Azerbaijan, Timbe returned to Belgium, the country where his professional journey began.
In January 2026, Crossing Schaerbeek announced the signing of the Kenyan international, bringing him back to Belgian football more than a decade after making his senior breakthrough at Genk.
The club handed him a contract running until June 2027.
Kenya National Team Career
Ayub Timbe made his senior debut for Harambee Stars on October 16, 2012, in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa.
He came on as a substitute in Kenya’s 2-1 defeat at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
His first international goal came on May 30, 2015, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros.
He has 30 senior caps for Harambee Stars and scored five international goals.
Family
Timbe comes from a football-loving family that has produced more than one professional player.
His younger brother, Musa Masika, also pursued a football career and has previously spoken about following in the footsteps of his elder sibling.
Their elder brother, Shaban Masika, also played football and is credited with helping nurture the sporting ambitions of his younger siblings.
Net Worth
Timbe’s net worth has never been publicly disclosed, and there are no verified figures from official financial records, club documents, or public disclosures.
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