Orlando Pirates transfers: FOUR new faces, one new contract
Orlando Pirates are shaping up what they hope is a title-challenging squad for next season’s DStv Premiership campaign. SOme fancy new faces have arrived.
PIRATES TIE TIMM DOWN TO NEW TERMS
Stylish midfield general Miguel Timm has signed fresh terms with the Sea Robbers. As per the official website:
“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that Miguel Timm has signed a new deal. The 32-year-old midfielder’s current contract was due to expire at the end of the month, but he has now put pen to paper to extend his stay at the club, keeping him on board the Bucs ship for the 2024/25 campaign, including an option for an additional season. Since his arrival in 2022, Timm has established himself as a key cog of the Pirates team and he has gone on to register 63 matches – winning four cups. Everyone at Orlando Pirates is delighted with the news and we wish Timm the very best for the coming season.”
Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm. Photo: MiguelTimm/Instagram
Orlando Pirates snap up R11 million winger Gilberto
On the same day as Timm’s contract extension, Pirates also signed a new winger. The Sea Robbers have officially sealed a deal for Petro Luanda’s Deivi Miguel Vieira, or Gilberto for short after he passed his medical. The 23-year-old Petro Luanda star operates predominantly on the right wing and has seven caps for Angola to go with his two international goals. He bagged two assists from nine appearances in last season’s CAF Champions League and Pirates are understandably keen to add a player with experience in that continental competition. They’ll square off against Africa’s finest in 2024-2025. He’ll join up with the squad for their European tour of Germany and Spain in July.
Gilberto will officially become a Buccaneer once he passes a medical. Image: Petro de Luanca
Two new midfielders, one new analyst
Talented pivot Thalente Mbatha is also likely to sign a permanent deal after impressing on loan from SuperSport. Attacking midfielder Thuso Maleleki is rumoured to be on the club’s wish list too, the 24-year-old has starred for Orbit College, and will travel with Jose Riveiro’s men to Spain. With Miguel Timm’s new contract in the bag and the experience of Makhehhelen Makhaula also on the books, Pirates have some depth in midfield. That’s for sure. Performance analyst Devon O’Brien will also be part of the group after arriving from Stellenbosch to bolster the club’s technical resources.