Bloemfontein Celtic defender, Auguston Leonard, has joined NFD outfit, Milano United, on a short-term contract until end of the season.

Leonard, 22, has not featured regularly under Ernst Middendorp and the player has explained that he has decided to leave in order to search for more game time elsewhere.

Following the move, Leonard said, “The coaching staff had an honest discussion with me whereby they told me that I wouldn’t be playing regularly for the remainder of the current season. Due to the fact that my contract expires in July I knew that I needed to get as much game time as possible in order to secure a new PSL contract elsewhere next season.

“My agent and I discussed a few opportunities where interest lay but due to my relationship with Milano and the guarantee of regular game time I decided to join them until the end of the season and help in their push for promotion.

“I had a wonderful two years in Bloemfontein and want to thank Mich d’Avray and Clinton Larsen for the opportunities they gave me.”

Cape Town-based Milano are currently third in the NFD and are pushing for a place in next year’s PSL.