Cape Town City FC are closing in on a highly rated youngster from Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC.
The club is on the verge of signing 20-year-old midfielder Jordan Bender.
The central midfielder was at Cape Town City FC in January, but the club could not complete his signing.
“He was eligible for South African citizenship and was told to sort that out. It’s sorted now, and he should be registered as a local,” a source said.
He plays as a central midfielder at Cape Town City FC and has been clubless since parting with his boyhood club Orlando earlier this year.
Bender became the first Orlando player to make the journey up the Club’s development pyramid from the Academy to Orlando City B and, finally, a First Team contract.
He made his Major League Soccer debut last year on October 14 against New York City FC and started his first MLS match on November 8, 2021, against Nashville SC.
Orlando City is an American professional soccer club in Orlando, Florida, where Bender was born. The team competes as a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer.
The Citizens will participate in the Caf Champions League and have already signed veteran defender Marc van Heerden from Stellenbosch FC.
After a second-place finish, Eric Tinkler’s charges would want to continue on an upward trajectory.
Van Heerden this week said he was excited when he got a call from Tinkler.
“City is a big club, and they want to be challenging for everything, which is really exciting. The first two weeks so far have been really good, really intense, and you can see the intentions from the club, the players and the coaching staff.
“They are serious about what they want to achieve, and I am happy to be a part of that. Let’s go and do whatever we can to win whatever we can. I’m looking forward to a really strong season and bring (home) silverware,” he said.
RELATED STORY: Playing with Man Utd great: CT City’s signing recalls experiences
