Dutch-born striker Lars Veldwijk may not be a new name in South African football, but whispers of his potential arrival at Mamelodi Sundowns added a dash of Dutch spice to the PSL transfer window which closes later tonight. Let's dig deeper into the 32-year-old's career, revealing five intriguing facts that hint at why the Brazilians might be eyeing him on deadline day.
Soccer Laduma reported a week ago how Veldwijk is a target while the Brazilians have been looking at a number forwards to add depth to their squad in what is proving to be a very long and extremely busy season.
1. South Africa's Top Scorer, Circa 2021
While Veldwijk's Bafana Bafana tenure hasn't been prolific, his club form tells a different story. In 2021, while playing for Suwon FC in South Korea, he emerged as the highest-scoring South African across all leagues, both domestic and international. His impressive 18 goals in 37 appearances outshone even prominent attackers like Lyle Foster and Themba Zwane.
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2. Foreign League XI Recognition
Veldwijk's 2021 heroics didn't just grab local attention; they earned him a coveted spot in the K-League's Best XI. This marked a historic moment for South African football, with Veldwijk becoming the first player from the nation to secure such an honor since Benni McCarthy in 2006/07.
3. Near Miss for K-League Golden Boot
Despite topping the South African scoring charts, Veldwijk fell just short of claiming the K-League's Golden Boot. His 18 goals landed him a respectable second place, showcasing his consistent threat in front of goal.
4. A Bafana Enigma
While Veldwijk's presence in Sundowns' sights excites local fans, his national team career remains an enigma. Despite featuring in seven matches since his 2016 debut, all his appearances came as a substitute. He's yet to start an official game for Bafana Bafana, adding an intriguing layer to his potential return to Mzansi.
5. A Debut to Forget
His international debut wasn't quite a fairytale. Thrown into the mix for a 2016 friendly against Mozambique under Owen Da Gama, Veldwijk's first taste of Bafana action lasted only 45 minutes before being substituted. Perhaps playing at Chloorkop could offer him a chance to rewrite his narrative with local fans.
Veldwijk's potential move to Sundowns isn't just about a familiar face returning to South Africa. It's about a proven goalscorer, a foreign league standout, and a player eager to rewrite his South African story.
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