DR Congo’s Vita Club have completed the signing of Amavubi striker Ernest Sugira in a deal that will see the striker earn Rwf4m every month.

The 24-year-old signed the 18-month deal on Wednesday, a day after he was received by hordes of Vita Club fans in Kinshasa. After signing the deal, Sugira promised to score goals to help his new club win trophies.

"I am a Vita Club player, I am happy to join such a big club. Hopefully, I will do better in my new career move. I want to repay the club management for putting a lot of faith in me, and the many fans that turned up to receive me,” Sugira said.

The former AS Kigali striker’s exploits during the 2016 CHAN tournament held in Rwanda earlier this year, attracted interest from several clubs on the continent, including Vita Club, Bidvest Wits of South Africa, Kenya’s AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.

Sugira scored 3 of Rwanda’s 5 goals in CHAN including a brace against Gabon in a 2-1 win and one against DR Congo in a 2-1 defeat in the last eight, which ultimately earned him a place in the team of the tournament – the only Amavubi player in the side.

Vita Club currently lead the league table in the DR Congo top flight league with 16 points after six matches played and are in the group stages of the 2016 CAF Champions League.

Sugira began his career as a midfielder at AS Muhanga and inspired the Western Province club to the Peace Cup final in 2013 before joining APR FC where he won a double in the season of 2013-2014. In September 2014, Sugira signed for AS Kigali.

The forward earned his first cap against Benin in September 2013 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

He scored his first international goal against the Mozambique national football team in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Maputo.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw