The answer is simple enough – Wanyama’s former manager at Celtic, Neil Lennon.

The Northern Irishman, 53, was also parachuted into Dunfermline in March, replacing Michael Tidser.

Knowing that Wanyama was a free agent, he decided the midfielder was just the kind of character his squad needed.

“He made me get to the next level of football,” said Wanyama, explaining why he holds Lennon in such high regard.

“He knows me very well, so it is easy when someone like Neil calls.

“He’s passionate and he’s a winner.”

Eight points from Lennon’s seven games in charge was enough to see off the threat of relegation, although Wanyama’s influence was limited by a red card picked up on his debut against Ayr.

“We had a young team and I had to play a role in that, speaking to the young lads, trying to help them in training,” he said.

“I think that itself has been a big role.”

The club also felt his off-field impact in other places, most notably in a club shop that sold out of adult replica shirts after a rush of orders to have ‘Wanyama 44’ printed on the back.

“Victor came in the door and that was it,” said marketing manager Chris Addison.

“As soon as his squad number was confirmed, we saw the orders come in from the UK, his native Kenya, further afield. All over the world.”

Wanyama’s pull is evident outside the Pars’ East End Park stadium, where fans wait with Celtic photographs and shirts to be signed.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard you were signing for Dunfermline,” says one supporter while posing for a picture with a smiling Wanyama.

The Kenyan turns 34 next month but would be “happy” to re-sign – although that decision is likely to be influenced by whether or not the club can agree a deal to retain Lennon’s services.

Negotiations are ongoing on both fronts.

Whatever comes next, Wanyama says he has no plans to retire, even if he is already thinking about a coaching career.

“That’s something I’m passionate about and hopefully one day I can get into managing.

“Hopefully I can be the next Neil Lennon.”