Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the signing of talented winger Josta Dladla from Denmark side AGF Aarhus.
Motsepe admitted that the Danes were reluctant to sell Dladla and the deal took four weeks to complete, but he was happy that he had got one of South Africa's best wingers.
Dladla has spent the past two seasons at AGF following a a move from Wits University.
"It had been one of the toughest, longest and protracted negotiations I had ever undertaken," said president Motsepe on the Downs website.
"Negotiations took place over a period of four weeks and I must add that the Danes were very reluctant to release the player.
"I can obviously understand the reason why because if you look at their league programme, they played 33 matches which is three rounds in the 12-team league and Dladla played in 31 of those matches.
"He played more matches than any other player in the team, which gives you an indication that they valued the player very highly and hence their reluctance to release him."
Brazilians coach Paul Dolezar was ecstatic in Paris in France when informed that the transfer of Dladla from AGF has been completed.
"I have been an admirer of the boy since back in the year 2000," said Dolezar. "I requested then that we should sign him because he is a technically good player, very skilful, very fast and in addition, very young.
"The two years that he has spent in Denmark has turned him into an even matured player and the experience he has gained would be invaluable. He will bring that experience to Sundowns and I have no doubt that the pieces are slowly falling into place for a great revival.
"I need two strong running attacking player who could turn the charm playing just behind the frontrunners and I think the jigsaw puzzle shall then be complete."
|