Rangers bring Schoeman back home

By Kamlesh Gosai

Manning Rangers on Tuesday finally landed the signature of Bafana Bafana defender Frank Schoeman on a free transfer after a week of negotiations.

The former Denmark-based defender had long been a target of the Mighty Maulers.

Schoeman, who turns 27 at the end of the month, has 14 senior caps and is the club's biggest signing this season. After the release of Bradley Muir, Helder Muianga, Robbie Milne, Donovan Chislett and Mark Davies, the club have been scouting for defenders to partner Liswa Nduti, Nkhiphitheni Matombo and new recruit Shaheem Bobbs.

Schoeman, who made his name with Bloemfontein Celtic locally before moving to Lyngby in Denmark, is Rangers' sixth off-season signing. He returned late last season from Denmark after Lyngby's poor financial status forced them to release players, and he played for Sundowns on a game-by-game basis.

Schoeman's agent Mike Segal said there had been offers from overseas clubs, but that the defender "was quite keen to come back home for a while".

"To play under Clive Barker will help his career and he could soon be back in the Bafana team," Segal said.

Schoeman's arrival follows the acquisition of midfielder Andile "Jomo" Monei who joined on a four-year deal. Monei, 24, had been on trial with Rangers last season and was recalled this term for further trials.

The central midfielder campaigned for Dobsonville All Nations in the First Division inland stream while completing his studies at Wits Technikon last season.

"He's an outstanding player who'll set the Premier League alight," said Rangers managing director Afzal Khan. "He's very creative, can use both feet and has great vision," he added.

Former pro Harold Legodi, who recommended Monei to Barker, said he expects to bring right-sided midfielder Owen Sutton to Rangers for trials.

Sutton, 24, of Reiger Park in Gauteng, played for Dobsonville All Nations for the last three months of last season.