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Yanga have been keen to sign SC Villa defender Gift Fred during the transfer window, and now a deal has been struck between the two.
Tanzanian club Young Africans (Yanga) have signed Ugandan defender and former SC Villa captain Gift Fred on a three-year deal
The talented defender's contract with SC Villa expired at the end of last season, making him a highly sought-after free agent in the transfer market.
The defender and his team at Prosper Sports Agency - who were behind the deal - are expected to fly to Dar es Salaam in the coming days, as Yanga prepares to announce their new signing next week.
Gift Fred's exceptional performances at SC Villa caught the attention of numerous clubs across Uganda, East Africa, and even South Africa.
Among the clubs vying for his signature were Vipers, Kaizer Chiefs, and Rwanda's APR. However, it is Yanga who have successfully secured the services of the prized defender.
Despite the interest from other clubs, SC Villa made concerted efforts to retain their prized asset.
Gift Fred was even part of the club's pre-season training, raising hopes among the Villa faithful that he would commit to staying. However, Yanga's offer proved too enticing for the defender to resist.
Yanga identified Gift Fred as the perfect man to bolster their defensive options, with the Uganda Cranes player establishing himself as one of the Uganda Premier League’s most consistent centre-backs last season.
The signing comes as Yanga seeks a replacement for Malian defender Mamadou Doumbia, who Is leaving the club this season after failing to impress.
Gift Fred originally joined SC Villa in 2020 from third-tier side Booma FC, signing a three-year employment contract.
His performances during the 2022/23 campaign were nothing short of outstanding, with SC Villa narrowly missing out on the league title and finishing third in the standings with 52 points.
As the captain of SC Villa, Gift Fred played a pivotal role in the team's success, particularly in defence.
His leadership and defensive prowess helped the club keep an impressive 15 clean sheets in 28 games. The defender's contributions were not limited to club football alone.
His performances have not gone unnoticed on the international stage either.
He was a part of the Uganda Cranes CHAN team and played for Uganda in the 2-1 defeat to Algeria in the recent AFCON qualifying match.
Gift Fred also represented Gomba in the prestigious Buganda Masaza Cup tournament, where he played a crucial role in their victorious 2020 campaign.
In the final against Buddu at St. Mary's Stadium in Kitende, Gift Fred even found the back of the net, sealing a 3-1 victory for Gomba.
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