Bafana Bafana midfielder Luke Le Roux looked poised for another important move for his career before the start of the 2025 Allsvenskan season, but it’s been put on hold with IFK Värnamo unwilling to entertain offers for his services.
Le Roux, 24, returned to Sweden with Värnamo after the relegation of FC Volendam from the Dutch Eredivisie and immediately stood out as one of their key players in a league he’s been familiar with, having played for three seasons in the division with Varbergs BoIS.
One game short of 100 appearances for the club meant he was well versed in the task and it came as no surprise to see the bigger clubs come knocking after several dynamic displays, with Hammarby Fotboll the first to show serious interest.
“The player has been an outstanding professional during his time at Varnamo. The club got him on a really good deal in the summer and will make a good profit,” his agency Centre Circle told iDiski Times back in January when the move seemed on the cards.
“They have more than enough time to find a replacement, so we fully expect them to not stand in the way.”
However, the 24-year-old has now started all three games for Värnamo in Svenska Cupen, which is their domestic cup and serves as a curtain-raiser before league action.
And it’s been confirmed to this publication, that Le Roux was informed he is not for sale and is seen as an indispensable part of the squad for the upcoming league campaign.
With one more cup fixture before the first league match scheduled for 8 March, Le Roux will however, be in great physical condition for the Bafana Bafana squad, which was one of the concerns of head coach Hugo Broos for the players in Scandinavian football calendars.
He has made seven appearances for the senior national team under Broos, the last of which came in the 2-0 win over Uganda in November last year.
South Africa takes on Lesotho and Benin in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.
