Former Orlando Pirates striker Lyle Foster looks set for a huge future according to the scout who brought him to Belgium this season.
The Bafana Bafana striker has long been touted as the next talisman for the South Africa national team since making his debut for Pirates as a teenager but was seemingly on a decline over the past three years since leaving the club.
His dream move AS Monaco saw him make his Ligue 1 debut at 18 but his loan spell to Cercle Brugge and transfer to Vitória Guimarães SC stalled his progression with lack of form and first-team chances the biggest contributed.
Now at Westerlo, after an initial slow start, the 21-year-old has burst into life with three goals and as many assists in his last four league games – which Niel Cuijvers is not surprised about.
“I saw some of his matches live at Cercle Brugge”, Cuijvers told Gazet van Antwerpen (h/t) KickOff. “After that one season in Belgium, he went back to Monaco and from there to Guimaraes.
“In Portugal but due to the Covid-19 measures, it was difficult to see him at work in Portugal. We saw a lot of videos, did background checks and got information about his physical qualities and his mentality.”
Cuijvers suggests Foster has all the tools to become a complete striker and with age on his side, he could develop immensely at the club who look poised for promotion to the Jupiler Pro League.
“He has a very interesting profile. He is a combination of a deep striker and target man with a lot of speed. Remember [he was born in the year] 2000 and still has a lot of margin for progression,” he continued.
“His behaviour in the dressing room is exemplary. He is one hundred percent a direct hit [of a transfer].
“Let them [other clubs] stay away. First Lyle has to become champion with us.”
