New Mamelodi Sundowns forward Toni Silva believes that he is ready to fill the void left by Khama Billiat and Percy Tau.
Silva arrived at Downs as somewhat of a journeyman after playing all over Europe – including Portugal, England, Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece – and will be hoping to settle in at Chloorkop and make it his home.
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The versatile forward, speaking on his arrival at the club, revealed that he backs himself to deliver.
‘That’s not pressure, that’s the reality. People will have high expectations, and I am confident I will deliver,’ Silva said on the pressure that faces him.
Agent-less Silva arrived at Sundowns from Greece as a free agent after the Brazilians’ coach Pitso Mosimane had reportedly been scouting him for two years. The former Liverpool development player revealed his dislike of agents as he spoke about representing himself and how he made the decision to move to Sundowns.
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‘I came here to visit first, because the coach is a good guy,’ Silva said. ‘He asked me to come here with my family and see the country first, to see whether I like it or not.
‘I couldn’t come with my family because my wife had just given birth, and it was hard to get them the needed documents. I came alone.
‘I stayed for two weeks and even trained with the team too to get a taste of what’s in store. I liked the city. I watched their game and I liked what I saw. I decided to sign.’
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Speaking on Percy Tau, Silva said, ‘He will succeed there if he continues working hard like he has been doing.
‘He has a good head and he is talented. He will be successful if he also has a good agent who can help him there every step of the way.
‘I didn’t have that when I was in Liverpool. I didn’t have an agent who would guide me on how to handle my business.
‘Tau is a good player. He has talent. I wish him all the best,’ concluded the forward.