Celtic were so close to signing South African defender Rivaldo Coetzee from Ajax Cape Town.
A matter of days after Rivaldo Coetzee’s long-awaited move to Celtic was called off at the eleventh hour after the medical uncovered a potential problem with his right foot, the South African centre-back put pen to paper with Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 20-year-old, a talented ball-playing centre-half, had been tipped to make the move into Europe after a series of impressive performances with Ajax Cape Town. And Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers certainly gave the signing his seal of approval, describing Coetzee as an ‘outstanding young player’, in quotes reported by BT.
However, while admitting that he was devastated to see his chance at Celtic taken away, Coetzee ascertains that he jumped at the opportunity to sign for the Pretoria-based Sundowns.
Dream move
“I didn’t hesitate for one moment that I want to be here, I signed immediately. This is the club that I have always wanted to join. It is the only club I will play for in the PSL,” the 23-time international, who will be out for up to eight weeks due to injury, said in quotes reported by Goal.
“I am delighted to join this big club and I am looking forward to knowing some of the guys, those who I have not played with in the national team.”
According to the Daily Record (September 5th), Celtic had agreed to pay £800,000 for Coetzee but Mamelodi Sundowns managed to get the defender for £300,000 less.
And manager Pitso Mosimane insisted that there is no problem with his new signing’s fitness and predicted that, once convinced, Celtic will revive their interest.
For now, however, Coetzee appears more than happy to be continuing his career in South Africa – at the age of just 20, he has more than enough time to make that marquee move to Europe.
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