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Palacios: Gordinho can add value to Pirates

Cape Town - Orlando Pirates youth technical director Augusto Palacios believes the Buccanneers should sign out-of-favour Kaizer Chiefs defender Lorenzo Gordinho.

Pirates have found themselves desperately short in the heart of defence at times this season and could definitely do with strengthening that department in the January transfer window.

Gordinho has made just five appearances for Chiefs in all competitions this season and has six months left on his contract, which would allow him to leave on a free transfer.

And Palacios knows the 27-year-old central defender well during the pair's time together in the Buccanneers youth academy, where Gordinho, along with brother Anthony learnt their trade.

“Him and his brother [Anthony Gordinho], we developed them here at Orlando Pirates until they reached the age of 15 years,” ‘Njenje’ told KickOff.

“For some reason, he decided to move to Kaizer Chiefs. But, for me, he is still a good player. I'm not saying Pirates will sign him or not, I'm just talking to you in a general aspect of the player.

“When he was loaned to [Bloemfontein] Celtic, he did a good job there. He's a quality player. He is a young boy, very disciplined, with very good support from his family.

“He is good in the air, good on the ball. If there's an opportunity [for him] to come back to Pirates why not? But I don't know if Pirates are going to sign him.

“Listen, for me, there are not too many [good] centre-backs in the country, let's be realistic. If a player who played and was developed at Pirates, and for some reason went to Chiefs but has an opportunity to come back to Pirates, it's a good opportunity for him.

“He's still at the age of 27. The club knows him very well – very important; he's very disciplined and very committed and hard working.

“For me, inside and outside he's a player who can add value at Orlando Pirates, if the club is looking for him, yes.”

- TEAMTalk

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