CAPE TOWN – Orlando Pirates signed nine new players before the new season started, and they have continued their spending spree in their bid to become South African champions.
The Buccaneers announced on Monday that they have recruited a Brazilian defender following a trial at the club.
And no, it is not quite Real Madrid star Marcelo, but rather Caio Marcelo, who hails from Rio de Janeiro.
The 20-year-old Marcelo has previously played for Brazilian clubs Nova Iguaçu and CR Vasco da Gama (on loan).
“Orlando Pirates Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Caio Marcelo from Nova Iguaçu Football Club,” the Buccaneers stated.
“The signing of the Brazilian defender was concluded on the final day of the transfer window on Friday last week.
“Caio, who was spotted in Pirates’ recent Project X trip in Brazil, will join his new teammates this week after impressing technical staff during the pre-season break.”
Pirates coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic will hope that Marcelo can help solve the problems at the back, as his team have conceded three own goals this season – with two courtesy of central defender Gladwin Shitolo.
The Soweto Giants, though, did return to winning ways in their last Absa Premiership match, when they beat Black Leopards 2-1 last Tuesday in Polokwane.
This time they were on the right side of an own goal, with Leopards defender Thivhavhudzi Ndou scoring in his own net, while Maliele Pule grabbing what turned out to be the winner for Pirates.
Pirates’ next match is only on September 15, against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium (8.15pm kickoff), due to the international window this week, where Bafana Bafana are facing Libya in a 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Durban on Saturday.