An Austrian club chief has reacted to reports that his side have signed Kaizer Chiefs star Yusuf Maart.
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News broke late last week that the Glamour Boys’ skipper would not be joining his teammates during their pre-season camp in the Netherlands. The South African giants are set to face SBV Vitesse Arnhem, FC Utrecht, NEC Nijmegen, PEC Zwolle, and FC Twente Enschede during their European tour. However, the South African international will not be involved in any of these fixtures, as he is poised to sign for Austrian outfit SV Ried.
At the start of last season, the Austrian Bundesliga side secured the services of another South African, Antonio van Wyk, from Stellenbosch, and it now seems they are keen on adding yet another Betway Premiership talent in the form of Maart.
The 29-year-old has had a polarising spell at Naturena since joining from Sekhukhune United in 2022. However, he ended the previous campaign on a massive high, scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final — the goal that ended the club’s 10-year trophy drought — and doing so as captain.
Now, Maart will be hoping to write a new chapter in Austria at the Josko Arena. While a deal is yet to be finalised, a club executive has revealed that negotiations with the South African outfit are ongoing.
“Yes, there is interest from our side in Yusuf Maart, but nothing is finalised yet,” SV Ried sporting director Wolfgang Fiala told Austrian outlet OONachrichten in a telephonic interview.
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“He is a top transfer target for SV Ried but will not be available on a free transfer.”
