Lawrence Olum is a retired Kenyan footballer who made history as the first and only Kenyan to win the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup.
Early Life and Education
Lawrence Olum was born on July 10, 1984, in Nairobi, Kenya. He grew up in the Kenya Pipeline estate in Embakasi and developed an interest in football at a young age.
Both of his parents were former volleyball players, giving him an early exposure to sport.
He played youth football in Nairobi before joining Kenya Pipeline.
Olum moved to the United States after securing a football scholarship to Missouri Baptist University.
He represented the Missouri Baptist Spartans between 2003 and 2006 and earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-America recognition three times during his college career.
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The opportunity provided a pathway into professional football in the United States.
He later graduated from Missouri Baptist University and was inducted into the institution’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements as a student-athlete and professional footballer.
Lawrence Olum’s Career
After completing his college football career at Missouri Baptist University, Lawrence Olum began his professional journey with St. Louis Lions in 2006 before joining Portland Timbers in 2007.
He later played for Minnesota Thunder, Austin Aztex, and Orlando City, steadily building a reputation as a versatile player capable of operating in both midfield and defence.
Olum’s breakthrough came in 2011 when he signed for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer (MLS).
During his time at the club, he became an important squad member and was part of the team that won the 2013 MLS Cup after defeating Real Salt Lake in the final.
Olum played 112 minutes of the championship match after coming on as a substitute, becoming the first Kenyan footballer to win the MLS Cup.
In 2015, he moved to Malaysian side Kedah FA, helping the club win the Malaysia Premier League before returning to Sporting Kansas City a year later.
His second spell with the club further strengthened his standing as one of the most experienced Kenyan footballers playing abroad.
Olum was traded to Portland Timbers in 2017 and helped the club reach the 2018 MLS Cup final.
He later joined Minnesota United in 2019 before ending his professional career with Miami FC in 2020.
Across his MLS career, he made more than 140 appearances and earned recognition for his leadership, consistency and ability to play multiple positions.
At the international level, Olum represented Kenya’s Harambee Stars, making his senior debut in a 1-0 victory over Comoros in 2014.
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He earned four caps for the national team and was among a select group of Kenyan players to establish a long-term career in American professional football.
Following his retirement in 2020, Olum transitioned into coaching and youth development, drawing on more than a decade of professional experience in the United States and Malaysia.
Family
Lawrence Olum keeps his family life largely private and has not publicly disclosed details about his spouse, children, parents, or siblings.
However, he has spoken about growing up in a sporting family, noting that both of his parents played volleyball in Kenya.
In recent interviews, he has also discussed the impact of fatherhood on his life and personal development since retiring from professional football.
Lawrence Olum’s net worth has also never been publicly disclosed, and there are no verified figures from official records, club documents or financial disclosures.
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