De Jong discusses Pirates transfer
Photo: Orlando Pirates @X
Newly signed Orlando Pirates striker Andre de Jong has opened up about his move from Stellenbosch FC to Soweto Giants.
The New Zealand international has been integral to Stelis’ success since joining from Royal AM in the January 2023 transfer window.
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De Jong, who has scored 19 goals and provided 11 assists in 114 games for the Cape Winelands outfit, has expressed excitement at the move from his mother city to Johannesburg.
“I’m really excited to join Orlando Pirates. It’s obviously going to be a difficult move in January but I’m really looking forward to playing some games and trying to contribute to the team moving forward,” he told the club’s media department.
“We lost finals to Pirates in the past while playing for Stellenbosch, so I was obviously very excited when Pirates took an interest in me and it’s a really exciting chapter for me to be able to join them.
“I think the Buccaneers have had great success over the past few seasons and hopefully I can continue that success.
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The versatile 29-year-old subsequently revealed his goals at Mayfair, admitting he hopes to help Pirates win the elusive Betway Premiership title for the first time since 2011/12.
“I think winning the league this year is the goal for everyone at the club. I think now is a great opportunity to be top of the table at half-time. I think from the outside, the fans have big expectations to break the drought, so hopefully we can do that this season,” De Jong added.
“Some of my personal goals are obviously to contribute as much as possible to the team and I think I’d love to win the league and I think everyone at the club would do that. So, that’s a big goal for me and I also want to score goals and contribute goals.”
“I want to bring some good interaction in the final third and work very hard without the ball. I think Pirates have a very good pressing culture and defensive structure, so whenever I play I give it my all and hopefully contribute to the team winning.