Deano Van Rooyen opens up about following his dream to join Orlando Pirates
1st December 2024
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Orlando Pirates right wing-back Deano van Rooyen has opened up about his decision to leave Stellenbosch FC for Johannesburg after spending eight years with the club from the Winelands.
Van Rooyen’s transfer to the Buccaneers from Stellies came as one of the major and surprise deals towards the closing of the transfer window in September.
The Rob Bernadie-led club had tried to extend the contract of the 28-year-old, but his mind was made up already as he wanted to move to the next phase of his football career.
"They wanted to keep me but I told them to let me follow my dream because I wanted something new in my career. I spent most of my years in Stellenbosch, eight years is a long time just for me to have a different environment. It's also gonna show the person I am, the character of my personality," van Rooyen said.
With players like Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners stamping his authority at the Brazilians by scoring regularly both at the club and internationally for Bafana Bafana, Van Rooyen has got his work cut out to show that Cape Tonians can make it in Gauteng. He lists some of the things he must do to make it to Gauteng and touches on leaving his comfort zone.
"Obviously, I was firstly talking to my family and asked them and also players around Stellenbosch what they think is the best for me and they said go after your dreams. Then I said to them I'm gonna sit with my family and discuss the move to come to play for Pirates and they said they will be happy for me if I go because this is what they wanted, for me to follow my dreams,” he added.
“It was a difficult decision for me to come this side because you know they say players don't survive here in Joburg, in this environment because everything is fast here, the lifestyle, everything, so for me just to behave on the field and off the field."
