Orlando Pirates Sign Thulani Hlatshwayo & Deon Hotto
Orlando Pirates Sign Thulani Hlatshwayo & Deon Hotto. The former Bidvest Wits duo both signed long term deals with the Soweto giants. Thulani Hlatshwayo had been heavily linked with a move to Orlando Pirates. So, the signing comes as no surprise. The surprise comes in the form of Deon Hotto.
Orlando Pirates announced the signings of Deon Hotto and Thulani Hlatshwayo from the now defunct Bidvest Wits. As a summer clear out was expected from the students, the Buccaneers were linked with a transfer for the Bafana Bafana skipper.
Rumours also alleged that Pirates would sign an additional player from Wits on top of Thulani Hlatshwayo. Initially, rumours linked Pirates with defender Buhle Mkhwanazi. Alas, Pirates brought in tenacious Namibian winger Deon Hotto.
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Orlando Pirates released a statement on the club website yesterday.
βWe are pleased to welcome Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto to the Club. These are two players who have a proven pedigree both at club and international level and we are confident that they will complement the team that we have assembled.β Club chairman Dr Irvin Khoza said.
βI must thank all those who were involved in the negotiations,β he said.
Hlatshayo, Tyson as he is affectionately known, joins close friend Happy Jele in the Pirates defence. Jele himself has recently just signed a contract extension with Orlando Pirates.
The experienced Pirates defender signed on for yet another season. βThis is a place I called home since I joined as a 19-year old,β Magents said.
βThe matter of the contract has never been an issue for me because this is home. I have a very good relationship with the Chairman, the door is always open for me. If ever I have issues, I can always go to him.β
The Bucs defence is now blessed with two leaders and captains. Deon Hotto will look to bolster an attack that already boasts the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule and last seasonβs joint top scorer Gabadinho Mhango.
The top PSL will look to catch up on Mamelodi Sundowns as Orlando Pirates sign Thulani Hlatshwayo and Deon Hotto.