Former Arsenal target Marcelo Ivan Allende Bravo arrived on Wednesday at the OR Tambo International from the Arturo Merino Benitez Airport in Santiago, Chile, before being whisked away to a Johannesburg Hotel.
FARPost captured Allende, who captained the Chile national under 17 captain at the 2015 FIFA World Cup, being picked from his hotel to Chloorkop. At the home of Sundowns, the 23-year-old is expected to complete his move by signing his contract before being unveiled soon.
His former club Montevideo City Torque, who are owned by the same group that owns Manchester City, confirmed his move rumoured to be worth millions of rand.
Torque, who compete in the Uruguay Primera Division outfit, were home to the former Gunners trialist for the past two-and-a-half years.
“Marcelo Allende, player of Los Ciudadanos for three seasons and top assister in the history of Montevideo City Torque, has been transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns,” the club wrote in a statement.
“The club thanks the player for his great humanity and professional quality. All of the best for the future, Marcelo!”
On Monday, the Chile international shared a farewell post on Instagram as he prepared to leave his native country.
Sundowns have already unveiled the former SuperSport United duo of Sipho Mbule and Ronwen Williams. The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Williams, has already featured in all three opening matches.
Against Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend, he saved a Khama Billiat penalty. Another new signing Abubeker Nassir hit the target, scoring the fourth goal as Sundowns massacred Chiefs 4-0.
According to transfermkt, Allende, who debuted for the senior national team in December 2012, primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, but is equally comfortable on either wing.
He has scored 18 goals and assisted 23 in 106 matches. After his Chile debut, he will be hoping to set the DStv Premiership alight to be considered for future assignments.
For the youth national teams, he played five times for the Under 17s and 10 for the Under 20s.
