NEC FC have strengthened their attack with the signing of Uganda Cranes forward Fahad Bayo on a two-year contract.

The 28-year-old striker returns to the Uganda Premier League after several seasons abroad, bringing top-flight experience and a proven goalscoring record to the Diehards ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Bayo started his football journey at Lugazi Young Academy before joining Friends of Soccer Academy.

He rose to prominence in 2014 when he finished as the top scorer at the Copa Coca-Cola Uganda National Secondary Schools Championship with 11 goals for eventual champions Kibuli Secondary School.

He joined Proline FC in 2014 and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League, scoring 16 goals in 25 appearances during the 2015/16 Big League season.

Bayo later moved to Zambia, where he joined Buildcon FC in January 2018. He scored nine goals and provided six assists in 16 appearances before returning to Uganda with Vipers SC.

At Vipers, Bayo scored 12 goals in 23 appearances during the 2019/20 season, performances that earned him a move to Israel.

He subsequently played for F.C. Ashdod and Bnei Sakhnin in Israel, MFK Vyškov in the Czech Republic and Welwalo Adigrat in Ethiopia.

His most recent spells have come in North Macedonia, where he joined FK Vardar in August 2025 before featuring for KF Arsimi on loan.

At international level, Bayo has represented Uganda Cranes. He received his first senior national team call-up in 2018 under then-head coach Sebastien Desabre and featured in friendly matches against São Tomé and Príncipe and Malawi.

Known for his strength, aerial ability and composure in front of goal, Bayo gives NEC another experienced option in attack as the club prepares for the new season.

He becomes NEC FC’s third signing of the transfer window after Enock Tumwesigye and Enrique Lubwama.