By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SuperSport United have confirmed the worst-kept secret on Thursday afternoon that they have agreed terms with Mamelodi Sundowns for the permanent transfer of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams with immediate effect for an undisclosed fee.
It is an end of an era as for the 30-year-old Williams as he leaves SuperSport after 18 successful years. He joined Matsatsantsa at age 12 after being scouted in a youth tournament in 2004, and served the senior team with distinction in 11 seasons since his promotion in January 2011.
In his parting shot, Williams thanked everyone at the club.
“First and foremost I would like to thank the chairman Khulu Sibiya for allowing me to be part of such a wonderful club for so many years and for taking good care of me,” he said.
“To the club’s CEO Mr Stanley Matthews, I will forever be indebted to you and for each and every promise you made to me you have successfully fulfilled, I will forever be grateful to you and the board.
“To each coach and staff member at the academy I would not be where I am today without you guys — thank you so much for playing a major role in my career.
“To my entire SuperSport United family, I can’t thank you guys enough. Ronwen Williams is forever United.”
Williams’ made 337 appearances for Matsatsantsa, lifting six trophies, namely three Nedbank Cups, two MTN8 titles and one Telkom KnockOut.
The Gqeberha-born-player has just under 30 Bafana Bafana caps under his belt and was appointed captain by Head Coach Huge Broos in August 2021.