Royal AM have completed the signing of former Orlando Pirates defender Mthokozisi Dube.
Dube has been picked out on a free transfer after he was assessed by the KwaZulu-Natal club for close to three weeks under the watchful eye of coach Abram Nteo.
The 30-year-old was without a club after he left Bucs at the end of last season following his return from a loan stint at Golden Arrows.
Upon his comeback at the Mayfair club to hear what his future entails, it was decided that it was best for both parties to go separate ways, even though at times he was reliable under coach Milutin Sredojevic a few seasons ago.
“He has been doing well at training,” said Nteo iDiski Times.
“Dube is a good player. He has been focused after I have observed him in the past three to four weeks training we had him here.”
It is not the first time for Dube to work with Nteo, as Pirates previously loaned him for two seasons to Bloemfontein Celtic in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
In the latter season, Dube was the only player at Celtic to start all 30 league matches, though he could not reward himself with a goal.
When Pirates recalled him in the following campaign, the first season under Micho, the 30-year-old saw game time, with Pirates unlucky to finish second in both the 2017/18 term and also the following season – coming second to Mamelodi Sundowns on both occasions.
Pirates then loaned him to Arrows in the 2020/21 season, where he started in 26 league matches. The following term, his numbers dwindled, featuring just in 14 league matches before his stay was over.
For Dube, who is the Pirates graduate and just like Innocent Maela was loaned at several clubs, this is like a homecoming to Royal AM.
Pirates previously loaned Dube to Royal Eagles for two seasons in 2013/14 and 2014/15 when the club was campaigning in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Club boss Shauwn Mkhize was the co-owner of the club alongside her ex-husband Sbu Mpisane.
According to iDiski Times sources, it was Mkhize who called Dube to come and try his luck at the club.
“Now he’s going to wait for his chances in the side, but I like the focus and he’s doing well,” added Nteo.
Dube was on the bench when Royal AM drew 1-1 with Chippa United at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
