All the South African transfer news involving the ABSA Premiership, National First Division and abroad for the last week: Friday 30 Aug to Thursday 4th September.
Tokelo Rantie has been given the green light to complete his transfer from Malmo to English Championship club Bournemouth after being granted a work permit. Bournemouth assistant manager Jason Tindall is delighted with new signing Tokelo Rantie, describing him as “very dynamic, skilful and intelligent”. Cherries manager Eddie Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall attended a hearing at the Football Association on Friday to argue the Bafana Bafana forward’s case, as he fell just short of the strict requirements. The home office stipulates that players from outside the European Union must have played in 75 percent of their national team’s competitive matches over the last two years. But Howe and Tindall argued Rantie’s case successfully, and having signed a R30-million four-year deal with Bournemouth on Wednesday, the 22-year-old has been cleared to begin his career in England. The Cherries are currently sixth in the Championship after beating Dean Furman and Bongani Khumalo’s Doncaster Rovers last Saturday.
AmaZulu have parted ways with Prince Hlela, Nyiko Tshabangu and Luyanda Hlongwa. The three players were placed on transfer at the end of last season, but failed to find clubs during the transfer window and the club has decided to terminate their contracts. “The three players have parted ways with AmaZulu and are now free agents,” the players’ manager Ali Tlhoaele said: “Following the decision to part ways with AmaZulu by mutual consent they have now received their clearances with everyone notified.” There is Premiership interest in Hlela and Hlongwa. Hlela – who spent the last half of the past season on loan at SuperSport United – is also wanted by National First Division club Chippa United.
Orlando Pirates have decided against signing Burkina Faso defender Paul Koulibaly, but are still on the lookout for a striker. The 27-year-old defender was set to sign for Pirates during the transfer window but, his arrival in South Africa was delayed due to his commitment with his club, Al Shorta, in Iraq. Koulibaly’s contract with Al Shorta expired last week. According to a source at Bucs, the club are now only looking to sign an international striker.
Bloemfontein Celtic have decided against signing Diyo Sibisi and Sifiso Vilakazi, who were on trial at the club. Former Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates striker Thembinkosi ‘Terror’ Fanteni is also still looking for employment after likewise failing to win a contract under Celtic boss Clinton Larsen. Fanteni recently tried his luck with AmaZulu before heading to the Free State to try his luck with Phunya Sele Sele.
Bloemfontein Celtic have confirmed the signing of Clayton Daniels. The defender is a free agent after being handed his clearance at Mamelodi Sundowns, where his career has stagnated since joining from Ajax Cape Town.
National First Division side FC Cape Town have signed Benin international Rock Durand Thuram. The defender spent two weeks on trial with Orlando Pirates before joining the Cape side on a two-year deal. “The player has signed with FC Cape Town. He had a good trial with Pirates, but the technical team decided against signing him,” agent Dennis Idrissa said. “However, I’m happy that he has joined FC Cape Town because they have shown lots of ambition.”
Moroka Swallows have completed the signing of midfielder Nkosinathi Ogle. The former Golden Arrows player has penned a one-year contract with the Dube Birds, according to Swallows coach Zeca Marques. “He has signed for one year plus another year as an option,” Marques said. “He fits well in our plans this season. I am very excited about his signing.”
Former Bidvest Wits striker Bradley Ritson has decided to pull the plug on his football career and return to his old job as a plumber. Ritson spent last season at Wits, but he watched his playing opportunities go down the drain, making not a single start for the club before being transfer listed. The 31-year-old went on a club hunting mission but admits he was not awash with enquiries for his services. Now Ritson has exchanged his boots for overalls and a spanner, opening his own company named i-PLUMB, which is already tapping the market in Durban. While he did not shower the PSL with goals, Ritson did sink a few, with a tally of 16 to his name in the 51 professional matches he played at AmaZulu, Moroka Swallows and Wits.