Fawaaz Basadien says it’s “really good to be back” home following his switch from Swallows to Stellenbosch.
The 25-year-old former Cape Town City and Steenberg United defender was a part of the Dube Birds side that narrowly avoided relegation from the DStv Premiership via the play-offs last season.
Basadien started his career with Milano Football Club before joining City’s reserve side.
He impressed in the following two seasons in the National First Division with Ubuntu and Steenberg before his move to Swallows in 2020.
Now Basadien is eager to do his bit to help Stellies, who ended last term in an impressive fourth place.
He told IOL Sport: “There was a stage where I wasn’t sure if I was going back to Swallows, and what’s happening.
“But then I got a call from Stellenbosch, and they made it clear that they really wanted me here. They kept pushing, even though Swallows wanted me to stay there.
“It’s really good to be back. I’ve been away for two years, and obviously during this time, I didn’t get to see my family a lot. But now that I’m home, it is good mentally and helps a lot.
“Being home also helps me to focus better, which develops me as a footballer more. It wasn’t easy for me, because I still had a year left on my Swallows contract.
“But they really wanted me, and kept on pushing until they came to an agreement, and fortunately for me, it worked out.”