Wits sign up Granwald Scott, Thato Tlhone
BIDVEST Wits have completed the signing of midfielder Granwald Scott‚ the club confirmed yesterday.
Wits also announced that they had signed a pre-contract with Free State Stars defender Thato Tlhone that would start running in July. Scott ends a disappointing 12 months at Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava‚ where he failed to nail down a regular starting place and is now hoping to provide a boost for Wits as they target the Absa Premiership title this season.
Wits chief executive Jose Ferreira said: “Granwald Scott joins Bidvest Wits as a free agent from Slovan Bratislava‚ while Thato Tlhone joins us on a ‘pre-contract’ and as a free agent‚ after his contract with Free State Stars expires on 30 June.”
Scott spent 12 seasons at Ajax Cape Town after making his debut in 2004-05‚ making 186 starts.
The 29-year-old jumped at the chance to move to Europe last January, but failed to settle in Slovakia, where he was in and out of the Slovak side.
His last appearance for the team was in November as a substitute‚ and he did also campaign with them in the early rounds of the Uefa Europa League.
Tlhone is a former junior with Platinum Stars and Kaizer Chiefs who made his PSL debut in 2013-14 and has largely been a regular for Stars since.
The rampaging left-back will add competition on that side with Sifiso Hlanti.
The moves could kick-start what has been a slow beginning to the January transfer window‚ which officially opened on Tuesday.
So far signings have been few and far between‚ though Wits have also resigned English striker James Keene after his injury layoff.
Polokwane City are set to add Tlou Segolela to their squad in the coming days.
Ajax Cape Town have already signed forgotten man Rheece Evans from Mamelodi Sundowns and Zambian international Roderick Kabwe.
The biggest movers so far have been bottom side Baroka FC‚ who have captured strikers Siphamandla Sangweni and Helder Pelembe (ex-Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic)‚ as well as two goalkeepers in Tshinuna Abashoni (Black Leopards) and Ayanda Dlamini (Alexandra United).
Also in are midfielders Jose Garcia (Highlands Park) and Mxolisi Kunene (formerly of Moroka Swallows).
There have been no other confirmed deals so far.