Mamelodi Sundowns Sign Chilean Midfielder Marcelo Allende

South Africa champions Mamelodi Sundowns have signed Chilean midfielder Marcello Allende from Uruguayan top-flight side Montevideo City Torque on a US$ 300,000 contract.

A three-year contract was signed on Monday to move the 23-year-old.

Allende has been with Torque for two seasons and he scored 15 goals from 77 games as they finished fourth in the Uruguayan League.

“Marcelo Allende, player of Los Ciudadanos for three seasons and top assister in the history of Montevideo City Torque has been transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns,” his former club Torque said in a statement.

“The club thanks the player for his great humanity and professional quality. All of the best for the future, Marcelo!”

Allende becomes the Brazilians third signing following the arrival of Ronwen Williams and Sipho Mbule from SuperSport United.

In the contract, Sundowns are to pay 20 percent of the fee to Torque should they transfer Allende to Europe.

Torque had hoped to sell the player and they say there had been interest from some French clubs.

Three years ago,  midfielder had been linked with a move to English Premier League side Arsenal and had trailed him for almost for two years.

The versatile attacker had even trained with the Gunners first team players and they nicknamed him “Chile” after they were left dazzled by his impressive qualities.

Allende was one of the stars in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2015 where he captained the side, scoring twice in four games.