Bafana Bafana keeper Keet secures move to Europe

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Darren Keet has secured a move to Europe having signed on to Belgian second tier outfit OH Leuven.

Keet had been with Bidvest Wits but his contract expired in June and he made it clear that he would look to play his football in Europe again.

The former Bafana Bafana first-choice keeper has slipped down the pecking order after Supersport United’s Ronwen Williams claimed last season’s PSL golden glove. Williams played the majority of South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations matches.

Keet endured frustration at Wits where he was left out after refusing an extension to his contract and expressing his desire to leave the club.

It was during his first spell in Belgium with KV Kortrijk that Keet first earned a call-up to the national team though he did begin his career with the Clever Boys. Gordon Igesund handed the stopper his first Bafana Bafana start in 2012.

Bafana Bafana maintain a presence in Belgium

Keet joins Bafana Bafana teammate Percy Tau in plying his trade in Belgium. Tau recently secured a move the Club Brugge on loan from EPL side Brighton. Tau will could make his UEFA Champions League debut with Belgium’s top club.

OH Leuven play their football in Belgium’s second tier so Keet and Tau won’t meet in any league clashes next season. Leuven’s current first-choice goalkeeper is Thai under-23 international Kawin Thamsatchanan.

Leuven are owned by the King Power International Group who also run English Premier League club Leicester City. Thai billionaire Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is chairman of both clubs.

Bidvest Wits signed Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper Brandon Petersen in a bid to bolster their options between the sticks. He will act as competition for current number 1, Brighton Mhlongo.

Keet’s new club Leuven will begin their League campaign this weekend facing Royal Excelsior Virton at Den Dreef on Saturday 3 August.