Percy Tau Union saint-gilloise

(Brighton and Hove Albion FC / Official Website)

Percy Tau loaned off to Belgian second division side

Brighton have opted to ship the former Sundowns man off to Belgium.

Percy Tau Union saint-gilloise

(Brighton and Hove Albion FC / Official Website)

Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau has joined Belgian second division side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on loan from English outfit Brighton and Hove Albion.

The player signed for the Seagulls from Mamelodi Sundowns during the transfer window and did not feature in the club’s pre-season warm-up games, and was also not part of the squad during their 2-0 defeat to Watford in their English Premier League opener over the weekend.

Percy Tau off to Belgium

Brighton revealed on Wednesday that he had been shipped off to the Belgian outfit for the season.

“Percy is a talent we have brought to the club for the future, and this loan allows him to play regular senior football here in Europe,” the club said.

“It is a significant investment for us, and we will be closely watching his progress with Union and monitoring his development over the season.”

Why Royale Union Saint-Gilloise?

The move is altogether not a surprising one as – shortly after his move from the PSL to the EPL was made official – Brighton manager Chris Hughton revealed that Percy Tau would be sent on loan straight away.

Despite reported interest from around Europe, including clubs such as French giants AS Monaco, the much less fancied, largely unknown Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was always going to be a favoured destination as far as the English outfit is concerned, as the two clubs are both owned by Tony Bloom, with the Belgian club serving as a feeder to Brighton.

The player himself seems unfazed at the prospect of playing in a league which is arguably a bit of a downgrade from the PSL and says he is looking forward to what he sees as an important chapter in his development.

“I’m hoping to get a better understanding of the game from playing there. It’s a different approach to what we’re used to in South Africa. It’s exciting football.”

For Tau, this will also be a case of deja vu as – upon arrival at Sundowns – he was also shipped off to first division side, Witbank Spurs where he cut his teeth before his spectacular entry into the top-flight which has seen him rise to become South African football’s hottest property.