Andre de Jong opens up on Orlando Pirates move | OneFootball

De Jong on Bucs transfer

Photo: Orlando Pirates @ X

Newly signed Orlando Pirates attacker Andre de Jong has opened up on his move to the Soweto giants from Stellenbosch FC.

The New Zealand international was an integral part of Stellies' success since arriving from Royal AM in the 2023 January transfer window.

With 19 goals and 11 assists in 114 matches for the Cape Winelands outfit, Pirates came calling and De Jong has expressed excitement at switching the Mother City for Johannesburg.

“Extremely excited to join Orlando Pirates. It's obviously tough moving in January, but I'm just really looking forward to getting some games under my belt and try to contribute to the team going forward,” he told the club's media department.

"Playing for Stellenbosch, we've lost a couple of finals to Pirates in the past, so when Pirates were interested obviously I was very excited and to be able to join them is a really exciting chapter for me going forward.

"I think Pirates have shown so much success over the past few seasons and hopefully I can continue with that success going forward.

The 29-year-old utility player went on to reveal his goals at Mayfair, admitting the desire to help the Buccaneers clinch the elusive Betway Premiership title for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign.

“I think it's the goal of everyone at the club to win the league this year. I think it's a great opportunity sitting top of the log at the break now. I think from the outside there's a lot of expectations from the fans to break the drought, so hopefully we can this season,” De Jong added.

"Some of my personal goals obviously is to contribute to the team as much as possible, I think I would love to win the league and I think everyone at the club would. So, that's a big goal of mine, I would also like to score and contribute goals going forward.

"I would like to bring a bit of nice interplay up in the final third and also to work really hard off the ball. I think Pirates have a really good pressing culture and defensive structure, so just to give my all whenever I play and hopefully contribute to the team winning.