Erwin Saavedra, the Bolivian midfielder Mamelodi Sundowns will unveil as one of their new signings in the January transfer window, has been described as dynamite that will give the Brazilians explosive attacking options.
Saavedra, who turns 26 next month, is currently with the Bolivian national team which is wrapping up its 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification campaign with ties against Venezuela (last night) and Chile on Tuesday.
“He’s a very upright footballer with an ability to break the opponents’ attack and provide diagonal balls that surprise rivals,” said Bolivian journalist Agustin Suarez, who worked closely with Saavedra when he was the communications officer at Bolivar.
“What the Bolivar president Marcelo Claure has said is that Sundowns paid about $800,000 (R12.5m) to have Saavedra’s signature. I think for a player that generates as many dangerous situations for his club this is not a bad fee.”
Suarez added that Sundowns will have to get a translator for Saavedra as “he’s worse than me with English”.
While Saavedra is good playing on the right side of the midfield, Suarez said he’s versatile enough to play at the centre of the midfield or even at right-back if the situation demands.
“But more than anything he’s a player with an ability to assist and drives the ball neatly going forward.”
As good as he might be, getting into Sundowns’ starting XI won’t be an easy task for Saavedra as he will compete with Uruguayan Gaston Sirino, his former teammate at Bolivar, Thabiso Kutumela, Lebohang Maboe, Neo Maema, Themba Zwane, Bradley Ralani, Haashim Domingo and Sibusiso Vilakazi among those playing in attacking areas in the star-studded Brazilians midfield.
Saavedra may not arrive in time to be part of the Sundowns team that will face national first division club Richards Bay United in a Nedbank Cup last-32 tie in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.
Sundowns fans may get to see Saavedra for the first time on February 7 when their club hosts Chippa United in a DStv Premiership match before welcoming Sudanese giants AL-Hilal in the first match of Group A in the Caf Champions League on February 11.
While the Brazilians confirmed the arrival of Teboho Mokoena from Pretoria rivals SuperSport United this week, Saavedra’s signing is yet to be officially announced at Chloorkop.
Suarez said Saavedra has bid farewell to his Club Bolivar teammates, an outfit campaigning in the top flight of Bolivian football.
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