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Schut set to quit Sundowns

Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns captain Alje Schut has dropped a bombshell after admitting the current season will be his last in South Africa.

The 33-year-old defender has become an integral part of Sundowns over the last two seasons, helping the club to win their first league title in six years last season.

His professional attitude and calm demeanour on the pitch have made the Dutchman a vital link between coach Pitso Mosimane and the rest of the playing staff.

Schut’s reasons for ending his stay with Sundowns and returning home to the Netherlands are simple: he wants to bow out on a high note, and also has family considerations to weigh up.

"I am the kind of person/player that always wants to be an important part of the team," he told SoccerLaduma. "I want to leave Sundowns on a high and not hang to sit on the bench or in the stands collecting a fat cheque every month.

"I still feel very valuable at the club and I want to keep that memory rather than let it end on a low point. Also, my kids are getting to an age now where they are getting intense friendships and getting attached to things, so we want to go home before it will be very hard for them to leave.

"I see that they are starting to struggle with the Dutch language and I want them to get a proper education at home without having the disadvantage of not knowing the language as well."

The former Utrecht player admitted that Sundowns had tried to get him to stay, but says he has made up his mind to return to Europe, where he is considering doing his coaching badges.

"Sundowns [explained that] they were really happy with my contribution and wanted me to stay for a few more years. They even spoke about having a different role at the club in the future.

"Obviously I was pleased with the offer and that they wanted to keep me, and I told them how much I have enjoyed my stay here. I also said that, as the President always says, I will forever be a part of the Sundowns family. However I told them that I wanted to go home and pursue a different career in football."

Sundowns was only Schut’s second club, having spent 13 seasons at Dutch top flight club Utrecht.
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