De Jong: ‘I Was Excited When My Agent Called Me’

Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images

Andre De Jong has opened up about his move to Orlando Pirates during the January transfer window, revealing his excitement when his agent informed him of the transfer.

De Jong left Stellenbosch FC last month to join the Soweto giants and has already found the back of the net in the team’s Nedbank Cup win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

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Addressing the media at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg ahead of their Betway Premiership League encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns, De Jong said it was a dream come true to join a big team like Pirates at the second time of asking.

“Obviously, they contacted my agent and when my agent told me I was extremely excited. The exposure that this move has given me back home to push for a call up to the World Cup is really big. I was really excited from the first time I heard they were interested and kept my performances very good for Stellenbosch in the hope that the move goes through and it did at the second time of asking,” De Jong said.

“The guys have been amazing, and I have settled in really well and I’m just looking forward to contributing on the pitch. Everyone knows there is massive competition at Pirates in terms of all places around the field, so I think it is about being patient and waiting for my opportunity. I think with the minutes I have got so far, I have shown glimpses and it is about growing on that. Anytime you get on the field wearing the Orlando Pirates badge you give your all and hope you can contribute going forward and that is what I have been looking to do,” De Jong observed.

The New Zealand international was also asked about his favoured position, having played as a striker and a number 10 over the years.

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“Not a preference as such, here at Orlando Pirates you will have 65% of ball possession in most games so you are going to get a lot of touches on the ball,” he added.

So, I think that is a bit different to where I come from at Stellenbosch where maybe if you are upfront then you don’t get as many touches. So, I think as a false nine or a number 10 I can play both equally well. It is just where the coach sees me filling in.”

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