The arrival of defender Lucas Suarez, which coincides with Matias Esquivel’s return from a loan spell in Argentina, necessitated an exit from Mamelodi Sundowns. The Argentinian duo arrived a fortnight ago, bringing the number of foreigners to six.
Marcelo Allende [Chile], Lucas Ribeiro Costa [Brazil], Artur Sales [Brazil] and Erwin Saavedra [Bolivia] complete the club’s South American contingent. Denis Onyango, Divine Lunga and Peter Shalulile are all permanent residents and, therefore, registered as locals.
Suarez and Esquivel were teammates in Argentina at Club Atletico Tallares over the past six months. According to the PSL handbook, [Article 34.1] “A foreign player is any player who is not a South African citizen unless the player has obtained permanent residence in terms of South African law”.
Article 34:2 goes on to say, “A member club may not have more than 5 [five] foreign players contracted with it at any point.”
WHO’S OUT AT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TO MAKE WAY FOR ARGENTINIAN DUO’S REGISTRATION?
Sundowns have cut ties with Saavedra in a move that opens the foreign quota spot to register the Argentinian duo. Since joining the club in 2022, the Bolivian international has faced difficulties in getting consistent playing time, affected by injuries and restricted opportunities.
He returned to Sundowns from a loan spell at Club Bolívar at the beginning of the current season but has had limited playing time. Downs coach Miguel Cardoso has not utilised him in matches. Saavedra has sat on the bench twice since Cardoso arrived.
The 28-year-old has not made the matchday squad in the last three games. With just 195 minutes played this season, his future with the Tshwane giants was always uncertain.
Saavedra is held in high regard back home in Bolivar and could find himself at his former club, Club Bolivar. His exit comes after Lesiba Nku, Lebo Maboe, Thembinkosi Lorch and Rushine De Reuck all left Sundowns during the just-ended transfer window.
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