Stellenbosch announced their second signing in as many days, this time unveiling goalkeeper Sage Stephens, who joins from rivals Cape Town City.
The Citizens announced the shot-stopper’s departure earlier in the week, which brought to an end a three-year spell at the club for the former Moroka Swallows player.
City bids farewell to goalkeeper Sage Stephens at the end of his contract. A core member of the club, Sage will be remembered. Best of luck in the next phase of your career! 💙#ThankYouSage #iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/PFgXuyOpIp
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) September 9, 2020
Stellenbosch unveil Sage Stephens
After announcing the acquisition of defender Zitha Macheke from Bidvest Wits on Friday, the 2019/20 top-flight debutants unveiled Stephens as the latest member of the Stellies family on Friday.
It’s a new day and a new signing 🎉#Sfc welcomes its’ latest acquisition, Sage Stephens 🧤 transferring from Cape rivals @CapeTownCityFC
The #stelliesfamily welcomes you to your new home 😍🤲!
Sage Stephens is #ProudlyStellenbosch 😤🍇 #StellenboschFC #ChoiceOfChampions pic.twitter.com/0HYRxsj3kT
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) September 19, 2020
Stephens joins after spending the best part of the last two seasons playing second fiddle to Dutch goal minder Peter Leeuwenburg.
In the last two PSL campaigns, the 29-year-old managed just nine appearances in the league, keeping a respectable four clean sheets.
Goalkeeping department strengthened
His transfer comes at a time when Stellenbosch needed some reinforcements between the posts, after the departure of Boy de Jongh.
The Dutch goalkeeper left the club soon after lockdown was declared in South Africa, catching one of the last flights out of the country before the borders were closed.
In the absence of the former Netherlands Under-19 goalkeeper, Lee Langeveldt had a firmer grip of the starting berth, with the other keepers in the squad Daylan Hawes and Keegan Pool not getting a look in.
Stephens will be looking to add to his 39 Premiership appearances when the upcoming season kicks off in October.
