CAPE TOWN – One of the most talented South African players overseas, Thulani Serero, is about to relaunch his career that could provide a significant boost for Bafana Bafana.
Serero has agreed to a three-year deal with Vitesse Arnhem after completing a medical on Wednesday afternoon.
“After a good period at Ajax where I played a lot, followed a disappointing time where I was unable to play on a weekly basis. Now my contract has ended in Amsterdam, it’s time for a new club,” Serero told the club website.
“I know Vitesse as a good footballing team, and last year I saw them win the cup. I feel that my abilities fit perfectly with the play of Vitesse. And playing in the Europa League is a great challenge for me.”
Vitesse technical director Mo Allach added: “Serero was on our list to reinforce the midfield. He is a player with guts and has both controlling and footballing ability. He can play in multiple positions in the midfield. I really liked my personal interview with Thulani, and which showed that he wants to compete at Vitesse with great confidence. Given his experience, age and transfer free status, he is an important signing for us.”
The 27-year-old creative midfielder has been largely out in the cold at Ajax Amsterdam this past season, and that led to him being left out of the South African team as well.
New Bafana coach Stuart Baxter said as much ahead of last week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria, stating that he has been in contact with Serero, but that the Cape Town product hadn’t had enough game time with Ajax.
Thulani Serero signs a three-year contract, alongside Vitesse CEO Joost de Wit. Photo: www.vitesse.nl
“I have made contact with him and notified him that I don’t think it’s fair on him or the rest of the squad when he’s had less than 800 minutes at top level over the last year‚ to call him up,” Baxter said when he announced his Bafana squad.
“So I will not be selecting him for this game. But I did tell him‚ and I will tell you guys‚ that I think he’s one of our biggest talents. I think once he gets a new address (club), I look forward to working for him.”
Vitesse will be playing Europa League football next season after ending fifth in the Dutch Eredivisie last season.
A new environment at Vitesse might just be what Serero needs to rediscover the spark in his game, and make him battle-hardened ahead of Bafana’s upcoming crucial 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde in late August and early September, as well as the home October date with Burkina Faso.
Bafana end their campaign against Senegal away in November, and are currently second on the Group D log on goal difference with four points, level with leaders Burkina Faso.
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