Kermit Erasmus has made a sensational return to Orlando Pirates and the club also announced the signing of goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Erasmus rejoins Pirates on a two-year deal after parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns.
In his first stint at the Soweto giants between 2013 to 2016, Erasmus scored 21 goals and provided 14 assists in 81 games before making the switch to Europe, where he played for French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais and Lens.
“Orlando Pirates is happy to announce the signing of Kermit Erasmus on a two-year deal,” reads the club statement.
“The experienced forward joins the Buccaneers having recently been cleared by his former employer and becomes the sixth senior signing of the season.”
The 32-year-old striker said: “It’s good to be back.”
Erasmus fell out of favour with the Sundowns co-coaches of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena, as reports indicated that he stopped training with the club a few months ago.
He last played for Sundowns last season with his jersey 11 given to new signing Marcelo Allende.
The former Cape Town City man featured in 17 games in all competitions last campaign, scoring four goals.
In explaining Erasmus’ lack of game time, Mokwena said: “These things happen in football. I saw Gabriel Jesus coming to Manchester City and then going to Arsenal.
“Barcelona bought Zlatan Ibrahimović, and he did the best he could, and they sent him away, and he went to Man United. Romelu Lukaku joined Chelsea from Inter.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. These things do happen.
“It doesn’t say the move was wrong; it doesn’t profile the player in any way because we all know the qualities Kermit has, the qualities Gift has,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pirates also signed Chaine on a three-year deal from Chippa United,
The 25-year-old will bolster the Pirates’ goalkeeping department, which has the likes of Siyabonga Mpontshane, Richard Ofori and Kopano Thuntsane.
