With South African teenage talent Emile Witbooi having signed a deal with Roc Nation Sports, the global sports agency has revealed what they saw in the Cape Town City youngster.
In November 2024, the 16-year-old star made widespread headlines after undergoing a one-month-long evaluation with the Chelsea under-18 team in England.
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Following his trial, Cape Town City Head of Development and Recruitment, Grant Veitch, exclusively told Soccer Laduma that the youth academies of Premier League clubs such as Manchester City were also interested in the teenager.
Veitch also added that he met recruitment officials of other English top-flight clubs like Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, and Southampton regarding the highly-rated attacker.
On Monday, Roc Nation Sports formally announced Witbooi as one of their newest recruits amid the player's soaring reputation as the next big star for the future.
Global Director of Recruitment at Roc Nation Sports, Nathan Campbell, revealed at an event what they saw in Witbooi.
"When we look at scouting players, we're looking for two things: players who are performing to a high level but also have a high ceiling," Campbell explained.
"It's about whether you can see that the player at 16 will not be the same at 20 or 21. Is there more room to grow, or are they hitting their head against the ceiling?
"So when we're looking at players, we're always looking at that, and the other elements of technical and tactical, which again I think Emile has.
"You would have watched Emile, and his ability to manipulate the ball, pick it up in pockets of space, and play in between the lines is incredible.
"He has to be more consistent with it, have a higher output, but if we can help him within his club environment and build that consistency, then he hits the next level—especially if he physically develops slightly."
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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