Stuart Baxter confirms Cole Alexander reunion at Helsingborg

The Englishman has confirmed to SABC Sport the player arrived for medicals and additional assessment to beef up their relatively young squad with a work permit now the next step for the deal to go over the line. 

“Yes, it’s true. We picked up Cole from the airport this weekend and he has trained with us and been looked at by the medical team – and that’s gone better than we thought because he is fit,” Baxter explained. 

Alexander worked with the coach at Odisha FC in the Indian Premier League three years ago before he was signed by Chiefs in 2021 when Baxter was appointed for his second spell with the Glamour Boys. 

But last month Amakhosi terminated the 34-year-old’s contract by mutual agreement, allowing him to become a free agent. 

To Baxter’s delight, Alexander was keen to move abroad again. 

“It’s a beautiful story about Helsingborg and Premier Soccer League players, especially South Africans. You can look at the history – May Mahlangu, Surprise Ralani, Thando Mngomeni and Isaac Chansa,” the coach added. 

He expects Alexander to slot in immediately as soon as his paperwork can be arranged “in the coming days”. 

Baxter also revealed Helsingborg, where he initially arrived as sporting director before being handed the reins when the club made changes to the technical team early in the season, are also keen on striker Wayde Lekay. 

“We only have one number 9 and we thought we could get Wayde in, but his work permit is going to take a while, so we are looking at other options for him to be closer and get used to Swedish football,” the former Bafana Bafana mentor said. 

Lekay, who played for TS Galaxy and Cape Town City, is also a free agent.