Swallows defender-cum-midfielder, Fawaaz Basadien, has joined Stellenbosch ahead of the 2022/23 season, writes Robert Matakanye.
The versatile player, who featured 16 times for The Birds last season, penned a deal with the Winelands outfit and is expected to join them for pre-season.
Stellies have been in talks with Swallows and Fawaaz Basadien for a while now. He is the latest player to move away from the Soweto side after Dillan Solomons, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, and George Matlou joined Kaizer Chiefs.
The Birds initially signed Basadien as a striker in 2020, but a lack of defenders saw the 25-year-old, along with Solomons, converted to wingbacks under Dylan Kerr. He excelled in an unfamiliar position.
The Birds reportedly triggered the one-year option on his contract but later agreed on a transfer fee with the Cape Town club.
The talented player previously played for a club based in the Mother City, Steenberg United.
At Stellies, he joins several other new signings expected to maintain the same form the club showed last season under Steve Barker.
They released experienced players, including Robyn Johannes, Ashley du Preez, Waseem Isaacs, Stanley Dimgba, Nathan Sinkala, Sibusiso Mthethwa, Granwald Scott, Marc van Heerden and Zitha Kwinika. Kaizer Chiefs signed Du Preez and Kwinika towards the end of the 2021/22 term.
The club has already announced six new additions to their youthful squad. The most exciting recruit is a former Borrusia Dortmund star who is tipped to take the DStv Premiership by storm.
Lasse Sobiech, a 31-year-old defender, arrives from Bundesliga 2 outfit Darmstadt 98 on a two-year deal. Nhlanhla Mgaga and Vusi Sibiya joined the club from Baroka FC, while the club also added Sinethemba Mngomezulu from TS Galaxy.
William Likuta also signed from the Congolese side DC Motema Pemba. The club’s sixth addition is Sihle Nduli from TS Galaxy, who penned a three-year deal.
Stellies finished fourth in the DStv Premiership and will play in the MTN8 Cup.
