Mamelodi Sundowns Star Discusses Failed Celtics Move in 2017

• Rivaldo Coetzee has opened up on his humiliating failed move to Europe
• The Mamelodi Sundowns defender was set for a move to the Celtics, but he failed his medical
• The player has been playing for Mamelodi Sundowns since the move fell through

It is a dream for any footballer to play for top clubs in Europe, especially England.

For Rivaldo Coetzee, that dream never became a reality when he reportedly failed a medical ahead of his move to Scottish giants Celtics back in 2017.

Coetzee was close to completing his transfer from Ajax Cape Town in 2017. The defender was 20 years old then.

The defender broke through Ajax Cape Town as a teenager and was touted as an exciting prospect, and some predicted he could be South Africa's next big export.

A failed medical crushed his dreams. An "underlying" foot issue saw the deal break down and eventually collapse.

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"Following a routine medical examination carried out by the Celtic medical department they discovered an underlying problem with his right foot. The clubs were therefore unable to conclude the deal," Ajax Cape Town said via BBC.

He joined Sundowsn after the failed move and went on to win five DStv Premiership titles with the Brazilians.

Rivaldo Coetzee on failed move

Speaking to Pitchside Podcast, the defender opened up on the potential move to Celtics and how it affected him.

“It’s still tough to talk about it even to this day. When you have such an opportunity to go to such a big club, for it to fall through at the last minute, I thought about quitting [playing football] after that,” he said via Far Post.

He disclosed that he even spoke to Celtics manager Brendan Rodgers and everything was set.

"I spoke to him on the phone, and the conversation that we had, I could see myself using that as a stepping stone to go even further."

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He added that joining Sundowns saved his career and going to Ajax Cape Town, now Cape Town Spurs, was going to be tough. He's been with Sundowns since and recently helped them win the inaugural African Football League.

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