Mamelodi Sundowns sign former Liverpool FC winger Toni Silva

New Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed the signing of former Liverpool FC forward Toni Silva.

The Guinea-Bissau international has signed a three-year contract with the Brazilians, who recently beat Orlando Pirates to the 2017/18 PSL title.

Head coach Pitso Mosimane revealed why Silva decided to dump Greek Super League club Levadiakos for the Brazilians. 

“He is from Guinea-Bissau but he’s Portuguese. He played for Benfica youth‚ played for Liverpool youth‚ he played for Chelsea youth‚” Mosimane told TimesLive.

“He had a good youth programme. He was playing with [Manchester City midfielder] Raheem Sterling but he has never reached his full potential," he continued.

“He says this is it now. We got him from Greece‚ where he was playing. He had challenges there. You know the financial system in Greece‚ the economic situation there. He was never paid money and he decided he had to leave,” revealed Mosimane. 

Silva, who was born in Guinea-Bissau but grew up in Portugal, is expected to be registered with the PSL ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. 

The winger played for the Portugal youth national teams, but he ended up switching to Guinea-Bissau and made his debut in during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Zambia.

Mosimane also disclosed that the Brazilians beat PSL rivals Cape Town City to Silva’s signature.

“Cape Town City wanted him because Benni (McCarthy) knows him, but he decided to sign with us‚” the 2016 Caf Coach of the Year added.

“We have to revive him and make him fit. You also understand that we are losing Khama [Billiat]. So, we need to strengthen. He is 24 turning 25," Mosimane concluded.

The Brazilians will officially be crowned PSL champions after their final league clash of the season which is against Bloemfontein Celtic netx week Saturday.

Before facing Celtic, Sundowns will host Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the 2018 Caf Champions League Group C match on Saturday in Tshwane.