Imagine starting your career in the same dressing room with a Manchester United great who counts four English Premiership titles and a UEFA Champions League medal among his many accolades? That was newly signed Cape Town City midfielder Jordan Bender when he kicked off his career at Orlando City in the United States.
The Florida-born star joined the Orlando City Development Academy at 13 before signing his professional contract in 2018.
The midfield maestro 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.
“Playing for Orlando City in a professional environment is hard over there because I was competing in my first rookie season with Luis Nani and Pato [former AC Milan Brazilian international] but left for a year. But it was also good to learn from these players,” revealed Bender on signing his Citizens contract.
“A lot of young players get super discouraged when they don’t get the success the other young players are getting. A lot of people get to quit too soon because they see how difficult it is.”
The 21-year-old joins Eric Tinkler’s side on a three-year deal. He was at the club in January after parting ways with Orlando but could not complete his signing as he was still sorting out his South African citizenship.
At the Mother City outfit, he will play in the CAF Champions League and is convinced his new club presents an opportunity to prove himself.
“I have to keep working hard and see what happens. I’m not going to talk a lot about myself now, but I believe here at Cape Town City is a perfect opportunity to try to prove myself as a player, and whatever happens, we will see,” he added.
Bender becomes the second player to sign for the Citizens after acquiring highly-rated defender Marc van Heerden from neighbours Stellenbosch on a free transfer.
The Cape club would want to continue from where they left off last season after finishing second in the DStv Premiership the previous term.
Bender will be expected to help his new side to reach the Promised Land come the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
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