South African defender Thibang Phete has secured an exciting new deal overseas after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Phete, who has previously been featured for Bafana Bafana, has signed with IF Vestri on Iceland’s top flight as a free agent.

The 30-year-old last played for Portuguese outfit GD Chaves during the 2023/24 season. He left the club at the end of his one-year deal with the Primeira Liga outfit.

Since then, the defender-cum-midfielder has been without a club. The move to the multi-sport club based in Ísafjörður looks set to revive his career.

Cafu’ has spent the last decade abroad, enjoying spells with Grupo Tourizense, Vitoria SC, and Belenenses in Portugal. He also had a stint with Al Bataeh Club.

He cut his teeth at Farouk Khan’s Stars of Africa Academy before playing for National First Division side Milano United, after which he moved to Europe.

PHETE’S NEW CLUB – WHO ARE IF VESTRI?

Founded in 1986, the football club is part of a multi-sport setup alongside sports like basketball, volleyball, and swimming. The club is home to Zimbabwean international Silas Songani who joined the club in 2022. At the time, the club was in the second tier of Iceland football. In 2023, they gained promotion to the topflight via a playoff.

Phete joins the club as the 2025 Iceland season kicks off and will be hoping to help them achieve their ambitions. Iceland’s league runs from February to December. The club finished in the bottom half of the league last season. They are currently fifth after playing four games in Group One of the league.

Vestri have won one match, drew once and lost twice this season. The South African international brings lots of experience to the club having featured 87 times in the Portuguese elite league and 66 times in the second tier.

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