South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns have secured the signing of the highly talented and rated international star from Chile, Jorge Acuna.

This comes just days before Sundowns defend their title in the Castle Premiership.

The midfielder who has won eighteen caps for his country is expected to arrive in South Africa on Friday to finalise the terms of his two year contract.

He is currently at Universidad de Chile but when his coach there was fired he decided to make the switch to Africa. He has also played for Dutch sides Feyenoord and RBC Roosendaal.

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes also showed an interest in the player to add to his South African star Benni McCarthy. Wigan and Israeli club Maccabi Netanya also showed an interest but Acuna stated that he wished to ply his trade in South Africa.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Gordon Igesund has always been a fan of the Chilean and was quick to express his delight when adding that his club had already paid the Chilean side for the midfielder.

He is unlikely to have been registered in time for Sundown’s first match in their title defence against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

By Dave Cohen