Deano Van Rooyen Wanted by Mamelodi Sundowns After Orlando Pirates Departure

Following his departure from Orlando Pirates FC last week, SportsBoom has learned that Deano Van Rooyen is likely to move across the Jukskei River to join the reigning CAF Champions League champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Move to Sundowns?

On Friday, 21 August, Orlando Pirates FC announced that they were parting ways with right-back Deano van Rooyen on mutual consent, with the 29-year-old effectively becoming a free agent with about three weeks left in the transfer window.

Sources have revealed to SportsBoom that Van Rooyen has become sought after by Mamelodi Sundowns, with the Pretoria-based club looking to rope him in for the season.

Last week, Mamelodi Sundowns lost a key player in their squad, Khuliso Mudau, who is reportedly out for about six to 12 months due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Mudau went down during Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants, where he was stretched out in the 38th minute and was replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa, signalling that the injury was serious.

With Mudau likely out for the year, Mamelodi Sundowns need an experienced right-back with the ability to go forward, a set of skills that Van Rooyen is known for in the Premier Soccer League.

Mudau also carried responsibility as one of the experienced players in the Mamelodi Sundowns team, a feat that Van Rooyen can also contribute to, having captained Stellenbosch FC before his move to Orlando Pirates two years ago.

Should the move be finalised, Van Rooyen will likely compete with the likes of Mdunyelwa for a spot in the XI as Sundowns look to re-assert their dominance in the Betway Premiership and retain status as African champions. 

Van Rooyen Background

Van Rooyen made a name for himself down in the winelands with Stellenbosch FC, where he was part of the squad that helped the team gain promotion from the National First Division to the Premier Soccer League in the 2018/19 season.

From then on, Van Rooyen led from the front, taking Stellenbosch to win the 2023-edition of the Carling Knockout competition when they beat TS Galaxy on penalties.

That season, Van Rooyen was captain and led a promising side which also reached the MTN8 semi-final against Orlando Pirates, where the Sea Robbers were impressed with him and decided to bring him to Soweto the following year.

Mamelodi Sundowns are set to take on AmaZulu FC on Wednesday, 26 August, before they travel to KwaZulu-Natal to face Golden Arrows in the second leg of the MTN8 after losing 0-1 against the same opposition in the first leg last weekend.