Cape Town City have announced the signing of Dutch attacking midfielder Rai Vloet, who was in prison over the last two years after causing a fatal car accident.
The Citizens are continuing with their squad revamp and have announced Vloet as fourth signing under new coach Andries Ulderink.
Vloet, 31, is a bit of a journeyman after starting his career in the Netherlands, where he played for PSV, Cambuur, FC Eindhoven, NAC Breda, Excelsior and Heracles Almelo.
He was also on the books of Serie A side Frosinone in 2018/19, but only made five appearances. His career then took him to Kazakhstan side Astana and Ural Yekaterinburg in Russia.
However, Vloet’s football career has been overshadowed by being at fault for a fatal car accident in November 2021, where a four-year old boy lost his life.
According to reports in the Netherlands, the Dutchman was driving under the influence of alcohol and over the speed limit, with 193 km/h where only 130 km/h were allowed.
In April 2023, he was found guilty and sentenced to two years and six months in prison and a four-year driving ban. After spending 20 months in custody, he was released two months ago and is now having a second go at football.
“I want to end my career on a positive note. Not that it’s over once I’m out of prison. So I kept training and approached it as if something was on the horizon,” he told De Twentsche Courant Tubantia after being released.
“That accident will always stick with me. It’s not easy to change that now. Ultimately, people will think what they want to think. I have no control over that.
“The parents [of the deceased boy] are the biggest victims in all this. It was a terrible mistake that evening.”
That second chance is now being offered by City, who announced Vloet’s arrival on Sunday.
“Dutch-made. Cape Town ready. We are delighted to announce the signing of Dutch midfielder Rai Vloet. Welkom, Ra’,” the club posted.