FORMER APR midfielder Djihad Bizimana has left the country and club to join his new Belgian side Waasland-Beveren ahead of preseason tour next month.

The 21-year old departed to Belgium aboard Brussels Airlines on Friday morning and was supposed to report to the club later in the day.

The former Rayon Sports holding midfielder signed a three-year contract with Waasland-Beveren on a record Rwf 195M (189,000 Euros) transfer fee in April, making him the first Rwandan footballer to ever play for the Belgium’s topflight league side.

Bizimana featured for his ‘now former’ side APR on Thursday as the military side thumped Etincelles 2-0 at Amahoro Stadium. It was his last official match in APR shirt.

While talking to Saturday Sport before boarding his flight, Bizimana said: "I am thankful to APR and the amazing fans, it has been an amazing three years. I am now onto to a new challenge and a new chapter in my career, I will learn as much as I can to contribute to my new club’s success.”

Bizimana started his career with Etincelles and moved to Rayon Sports in 2013, where he played for two seasons before crossing to APR in 2015 in a controversial move.

Waasland-Beveren finished the 2017/2018 Belgian Pro League in the 12th place with 35 points.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw