Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveirio has provided a glowing endorsement over new signing Gilberto who was lured to the club from Petro de Luanda.
The Angola international winger joined Pirates in a deal worth around R10-million as the club beat several continental giants and clubs in Europe to his services.
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While there have been suggestions he may not be the most professional of players off the field in Angolan media, the Buccaneers coach said he’s settled well into the group and has been impressed by the player’s quality and behaviour since his arrival in camp.
“He’s a young guy, having a big opportunity in a club like Orlando Pirates, but I can tell you he’s settled very well in the group, he’s a very open guy in our group in that sense, he’s really special as well,” Riveiro said when asked by iDiski Times about Gilberto’s progress.
“He has a lot of things in common with the players, we are all trying to help him to express himself on the field, to try to play in the best of his capacity, but at the same time, trying to make him feel comfortable in the group and it’s something we did very well in my opinion.
“His personality, he’s a… I don’t know which word to use, yes he’s fun. He has the capacity to attract his mates, to get their attention from the first day, [he’s] a humble guy.
“[I have] zero complaints about his behaviour in the three, four weeks he’s been around. So I think he’s going to be one of our interesting players to follow this season for sure.”
Gilberto will have the chance to make his official debut for the club when Pirates take on SuperSport United in their MTN8 opener on Saturday at Orlando Stadium.
