Orlando Pirates defender Deano van Rooyen has discussed his big move to the club, revealing that he was warned that players don’t survive in Gauteng.
Van Rooyen signed with Pirates ahead of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season from Stellenbosch FC. The talented defender emerged as one of the key players for Stellies last season as they finished third on the log standings and won a domestic trophy.
In addition, he played a vital role as Stellenbosch won the 2023 Carling Knockout Cup after defeating TS Galaxy 5-4 on penalties in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
In his seven seasons at Stellenbosch, van Rooyen made over 130 appearances, scored three goals and provided eight assists.
After making the right-back position his own at Stellenbosch, van Rooyen was snapped up by the Buccaneers as they look to compete for both the league and CAF Champions League titles.
The 28-year-old is competing with Thabiso Monyane, Thabiso Lebitso, and Bandile Shandu in the right-wing back postion at Pirates.
In the current campaign, Deano van Rooyen has featured nine matches in all competitions and won the 2024 MTN8 title.
WHAT DID DEANO VAN ROOYEN SAY ABOUT LIFE IN GAUTENG?
While there’s a notion that players coming from Western Cape struggle to adapt to life in Gauteng, the highly-rated defender says he’s here to break the strerotype.
“I was talking to my family and players around Stellenbosch just to find out what’s the best for me. They said go after your dreams,” van Rooyen said.
“So I sat down with my family to discuss the move to come to Orlando Pirates because this is what they wanted, to follow my dreams.
“It was a difficult decision for me to come this side because you know they say players don’t survive here in Joburg because everything is fast here, the lifestyle and everything. So for me is just to behave on the field and off the field.”
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