Former APR left-attacker Yves Mutabazi has left the country to join his new side Marek Union Club. He signed a one-year contract with the Bulgarian club.

The development was confirmed to Saturday Sport on Friday by Kenyan tactician Sammy Mulinge, the head coach of APR club.

The Rwanda international has been with Mulinge’s APR volleyball club since 2012.

"It is a good step forward for Yves (Mutabazi) and his career as a volleyball player. His services will be missed at APR, but we wish him the best in Bulgaria,” Mulinge said.

While speaking to this publication from Bulgaria in a telephone interview on Friday, Mutabazi could not hide excitement for his first professional contract.

"I am very happy for this new opportunity, and I am looking forward to it. Marek Union are a good team with great ambitions, I will be challenged to work hard and perform to the best of my abilities – which will also be of great impact to the national team,” he said.

Mutabazi, 23, becomes just the third Rwandan volleyball player with a professional contract overseas, after Lawrence Yakan Guma, who plays for Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler in Japan, and Fred Musoni, who plies his trade with Finland first division side, Liiga Riento.

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