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Cape Town - Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes appears to have taken a big step forward in his career after signing for Southampton.
Sparkes seemed to make a major improvement to the Pirates' goalkeeping department as they improved defensively in terms of conceding goals in 2018/19.
Bucs also came close to winning silverware as they finished second in the Absa Premiership and were losing finalists in the Telkom Knockout to Baroka.
Nonetheless, the 34-year-old departed the Sea Robbers at the end of the last campaign as it was earlier reported he wanted to be closer to his family in the United Kingdom.
A statement on Southampton's official website said: "Dave Watson has been asked by Ralph Hasenhuttl to enhance his role and will now become First Team Assistant Coach.
"Watson's new role means the club has appointed Andrew Sparkes as our new First Team Goalkeeping Coach."
Meanwhile, Pirates hired Finland native Jyri Nieminen to replace Sparkes as keeper coach ahead of 2019/20.
