Former Pirates midfielder Munetsi completes move to Wolves in EPL
English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers have secured the services of former Orlando Pirates midfielder Marshall Munetsi on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with an option to extend by one more year.
Wolves announced the signing of Munetsi a few hours after the January transfer window closed at midnight on Monday.
The Premier League side paid over R400 million [€20 million] for the Zimbabwean international, who had two years remaining on his Stade Reims contract.
Moreover, his move to England has made him the most expensive Zimbabwean player at the moment.
“Wolves have made Marshall Munetsi their second deadline day signing, bringing in the midfielder from Reims on a three-and-a-half-year deal,” reads the club statement.
“The Zimbabwe international, whose contract includes a further 12-month option, joins having played 159 games for Reims, 67 of which came alongside another of Wolves’ January signings, Emmanuel Agbadou.”
MUNETSI BECOMES THE THIRD ZIMBABWEAN IN WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS’ BOOKS
He also becomes the third Zimbabwean to join the Premier League side. Wolves are already home to another Zimbabwean international, Tawanda Chirewa.
Chirewa was loaned to League One side Huddersfield Town AFC for the remainder of the season on deadline day as Munetsi arrived. Striker Leon Chiwome, who carries Zimbabwean heritage, is also part of the Vitor Pereira-coached side.
Wolves want a strong side ahead of the final stretch of the season. They are fighting a relegation battle and sit only two points above the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Reims are now beset with searching for a fitting replacement for the former Pirates man. Munetsi left a big void at the French side where he was one of the team captains.
He joined the French side in July 2019 after a decent spell at Pirates in the PSL. He also played for Baroka FC. The combative midfielder went on to establish himself as Reims’ mainstay in the last five years.
This season, he featured in 19 matches and scored four goals, with two assists under his belt. In total, the Harare-born midfielder made 159 appearances for the French side in all competitions. He scored 21 times and registered 14 assists.
Plausibly, he leaves France after making a good impression, that also saw him being nominated for the prestigious Marc-Vivien Foe award in 2023.
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