Belgian teen international Groeneveld signs for Cape Town City

Belgium junior international Keith Groeneveld has been unveiled as the newest member of Benni McCarthy's Cape Town City squad.

Groeneveld held amateur status at Belgian club Liege and could therefore sign for Cape Town City as a free agent and become available for selection immediately.

Born in Kimberly to a Belgian father and South African mother, Groeneveld once turned down a move to the Manchester United Academy, feeling he was too young. At the age of 19 he has decided to switch national allegiances and return to the country of his birth.

Despite having represented Belgium at age group level Groeneveld has set his sights on turning out for Bafana Bafana. The youngster has already selected in the provisional South Africa squad for the Fifa Under-20 World Cup and caught the eye of Stuart Baxter.

Cape Town City tweeted out the news of their exciting defensive signing.

The next generation is here, welcome Keith Groeneveld #iamCityFC #KeithGroeneveld pic.twitter.com/xdNbdxTa6V

Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) April 9, 2019 Belgian clubs KV Mechelen and Standard Liege had nurtured the career of the centre back to date but the prospect of immediate first team football and potential Bafana call-ups proved a strong lure.

Groeneveld's agency Siyavuma Sports Group, told the Soccer Laduma: Look there was a lot of interest in Keith from both overseas and from here in South Africa, but when he visited Cape Town City, spent time with Benni McCarthy and heard about their project, he decided where he wanted to be playing.

We all thought it was the right time for him to start playing senior football, and we're excited to see him back at home after many years abroad, and he can't wait to get started with his new club.

Cape Town City are currently fourth in the ABSA Premiership but are still in contention for continental competition next season and have an outside shot at the title. City are four points off the top with five league matches left.

Tags: Cape Town City FCSouth Africa

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/belgian-teen-international-groeneveld-...
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