Deano Van Rooyen: Mamelodi Sundowns Target Bafana Bafana Star After Leaving Orlando Pirates
- Orlando Pirates officially parted ways with right-back Deano Van Rooyen on 21 August, leaving him a free agent
- Mamelodi Sundowns are eyeing Van Rooyen as a replacement for Khuliso Mudau, who faces up to 12 months out injured
- Van Rooyen brings leadership experience, having captained Stellenbosch FC to a Carling Knockout title in 2023
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Mamelodi Sundowns are reportedly pursuing Deano Van Rooyen following his release from Orlando Pirates, as the Pretoria club looks to address a significant defensive gap caused by injury.
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Orlando Pirates confirmed on Friday, 21 August, that Van Rooyen's contract was terminated by mutual consent, making the 29-year-old right-back a free agent with approximately three weeks remaining in the transfer window.
Sundowns move for Van Rooyen
Sources cited by SportsBoom indicate that Mamelodi Sundowns have identified Van Rooyen as a priority target for the current season. The timing of his availability aligns directly with a crisis in the Sundowns backline after Khuliso Mudau sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon during the club's 2-0 win over Marumo Gallants.
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Mudau was stretchered off in the 38th minute and replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa, with the injury expected to sideline him for between six and 12 months.
Sundowns require a right-back capable of contributing offensively and providing leadership within the squad. Van Rooyen fits both criteria, having skippered Stellenbosch FC before making his move to Orlando Pirates two years ago.
Should the transfer go ahead, he would likely compete with Mdunyelwa for a starting berth as Sundowns pursue another Betway Premiership title and defend their CAF Champions League crown.
Van Rooyen's career in the PSL
Van Rooyen built his reputation at Stellenbosch FC, where he was part of the side that won promotion from the National First Division to the Premier Soccer League in the 2018/19 season. He eventually became captain of the club and led them to the 2023 Carling Knockout title, which Stellenbosch claimed by beating TS Galaxy on penalties.
That same season, Stellenbosch reached the MTN8 semi-finals, where they faced Orlando Pirates. The Sea Robbers were sufficiently impressed with Van Rooyen's performance to sign him the following year, bringing him to Soweto.
Mamelodi Sundowns are scheduled to host AmaZulu FC on Wednesday, 26 August, before travelling to KwaZulu-Natal to face Golden Arrows in the second leg of the MTN8. Sundowns trail in that tie after losing the first leg 0-1 to the same opposition the previous weekend.
Bafana star leaves Sundowns for PSL rivals
Briefly News earlier reported that a Bafana Bafana star has decided to leave Mamelodi Sundowns for the second season running for Premier Soccer League rivals.
The South African international is one of the few players leaving the CAF Champions League champions this summer ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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Source: Briefly News
