Official: City Sign Van Heerden

By Rob Delport

Van Heerden was a free agent after he left Stellenbosch at the end of the season after three years at City’s Western Cape rivals.

The former AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates player has been training with City since the start of the pre-season, and has now officially put pen to paper.

City had been looking for depth in the left-back/left-wing back position, as they prepare for a season where they will also be competing in the CAF Champions League for the first time.

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘! 🚀

Welcome to the City family 💙 pic.twitter.com/69tw5rCxfi

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) July 6, 2022

Their first-choice left-back last season, Terrence Mashego, is currently in rehab after surgery to an injury he picked up on international duty, while earlier in the year Edmilson Dove left the club.

With Mashego out for the near future, Van Heerden and utility player Thato Mokeke will likely fill that void, and then challenge the Bafana Bafana player when he returns.

The 34-year-old played 78 games in all competitions for Stellies during his time in the Winelands and shows no signs of slowing down, and his experience, cultured left foot and calm head could prove invaluable to Eric Tinkler’s team.

“Ja, you know, it was a little bit of a surprise,” Van Heerden told iDiski Times.

“But you know, I’m glad to have joined Cape Town City, and stay in Cape Town, especially because my family’s based here as well.

“So, ja, happy to be here and happy to have started the pre-season from day one with the team.”

Van Heerden also told the club’s media department he’s looking forward to achieve things with the club.

“Very excited to have gotten the call from Eric and John to join the club,” he said.

“City’s a big club, and they want to be challenging for everything which is really exciting. The first two weeks or so has been really good, very intense. And you can see then the intention from the club, from the players from the coaching staff, and everybody involved, they serious about what they want to achieve, and I’m happy to be a part of that.

“And ja, just let’s go and do whatever we can to win whatever we can. Looking forward to a really, really strong season this season and bringing silverware.”