South Africa’s Percy Tau has completed his move to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on undisclosed terms, the club confirmed today.
Tau agreed a four-year deal and will be loaned out ahead of the new season.
“Percy is a player we have highlighted for the future, and there is no doubting his talent, having been voted South African player of the season. Percy will go out on loan this season, play regularly and get some experience of European football,” Manager Chris Hughton told the clubs official website.
“We will be watching his progress and monitoring his development over the season,” he added.
It has not been all rosy for the 24 year old as The Brazilians did not sanction his move at first, something that irked the South African international striker.
Unhappy with the slow pace at which the deal was being handled amid growing fears Albion could pull the plug off the negotiations, Percy’s agent Mmatsatsi Sefalafala leaked confidential information to the media that Sundowns were demanding far more than the €2m fee lodged by the EPL team.
As though that was not enough, Percy went AWOL and skipped training in the process in a bid to force his club to accept the offer but Sundowns did not flinch.
Earlier this month, Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe asked the management of the club to go ahead and complete the deal with Brighton after the reigning PSL top goal-scorer and his agent Sefalafala released a groveling apology.
The three time PSL champion will be hopping to make great memories with his new club and is pleased with what he has seen at the club so far.
“Hopefully, I can make some great memories here – I love making memories and I’m so happy to be here.
“I’m very impressed with the facilities, they’re better than what I’m used to. It’s something I expected and it’s a better place to be,” he adds.
The striker was named South African Player of the Year in 2017/18 and scored 13 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns as they won the South African ABSA Premiership title.