Dunfermline Press

That was because having his toes trodden on by his more experienced team-mate used to be a feature of the occasions he was given to train with the London club's star-studded first team whilst an academy player.

However, the 25-year-old, who signed a new-one year contract to stay at KDM Group East End Park for the upcoming season, saw Wanyama as a mentor during his time coming through the ranks at Spurs, and enjoyed the chance to play with him for Dunfermline.

Oakley-Boothe joined the Lilywhites' academy in July 2017 and, after making his senior debut in a pre-season friendly with Paris St-Germain, became the club's first millennial to play a competitive game, appearing as a substitute in a Carabao Cup tie with Barnsley.

Having also won the Under-17 World Cup with England that year, the midfielder, who was also at Tottenham alongside the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters and Dele Alli, left in 2020, going on to have spells with Stoke City, Blackpool, and Estrela da Amadora in Portugal.

He joined the Pars in February and, the following month, he was joined by Wanyama when Neil Lennon, who had brought him to Scotland whilst Celtic manager, made him his first KDM Group East End Park addition.

Oakley-Boothe, who said the Kenya international, who signed until the end of last season, but whose future remains unclear, did remember him from their time in London.

He said: "I was with him quite a lot when I was young - I think it would be like two years.

"He was a mentor for me when I was younger. He used to just step on my toes!

"When I used to go up with the first team, I didn't want to go anywhere near him! I warned everybody here before he came, I said, watch your toes in training! But he's not like that anymore.

"You can't pay for experience. It's people that have been there and done that. Especially for younger players, I think it's important to learn off the experienced ones because, like I said, they've been there and done that. They've worn the shirt.

"I think that's one of the main things, in terms of if Victor was to come back or whatever, it's important for everybody around to learn from someone like that."

Oakley-Boothe is preparing for his first full campaign as a Pars player after his stint in Portugal.

He moved there last year, signing a three-and-a-half year deal with Estrela da Amadora, who are located north west of Lisbon.

However, Oakley-Boothe departed in September, and he believes supporters will see a much better version of him this season.

He continued: "Portugal was very difficult.

"Language, one thing, and yeah, I'd just say maybe the club itself has its own way of going about things.

"I think as a player, the first thing you need to be doing is playing, so, when you're not playing at a club, it's obviously going to affect you.

"It's going to affect the next place you go, it's going to affect your current situation you're in, because that's what you're based on.

"As a player, you're based on playing, especially at this age as well.

"I'm no longer 17, so it's not like potential. It's like, has he played? So it's about games.

"When I came here, it was pretty much straight in.

"It was tough on the body and stuff, but I was training away from here anyway, so it wasn't too bad."

The 33-year-old Kenyan international has this evening agreed a deal until the end of the season, subject to international clearance, and could make his debut for the club when they visit Ayr United in the SPFL Championship on Saturday.

He becomes new manager Neil Lennon's first addition since he was appointed as the new Pars manager last Friday, and it will mean the pair will be reunited having previously worked together at Celtic Park.

Reports began to surface earlier today that Wanyama was set to join Athletic, and was undergoing a medical, and the club have tonight confirmed that they have secured his signature.

Capped 64 times by his country, defensive midfielder Wanyama began his career in Belgium with Beerschot, before Lennon brought him to the east end of Glasgow in 2011.

During a two-year stint with the Scottish Premiership champions, he made 91 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals, the second of which came in a 3-0 win over the Pars in an SPL match at East End Park.

After winning two top flight titles and the Scottish Cup, Wanyama left the Hoops to join Southampton for a fee of £12.5 million - which was, at the time, a record Scottish sale.

He became the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League and, after three years at St Mary's, he joined Tottenham for a reported £11 million.

Wanyama penned a five-year contract with the North London side, signing for Maurico Pochettino for a second time, after the Argentine boss had taken him to Southampton.

He played 97 times for both Saints and Spurs, and was on the bench for the latter when they contested the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, which they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.

In March 2020, Wanyama left Tottenham for MLS (Major League Soccer) side CF Montreal, playing over 140 times between 2020 and 2024.

He became a free agent on January 1 this year, as his Montreal contract extension came to an end, with his last appearance for the club coming in July 2024.