HARDLY a week after being linked with a move to AS Kigali, Jimmy Gatete (Pic) has finally signed a two-year deal with first division side Police Fc.

The Amavubi striker had initially agreed to play for AS Kigali, which is coached by his former APR teammate Eric Nshimiyimana.

But according to reports in the AS Kigali camp, the deal stalled because the club was not ready to give him a signing on fee.

The Kigali City Council side tactician acknowledged the reports and said that Police offered Gatete a better package and that there is no animosity between him and Gatete.

"He had agreed to join us and he even trained with the team for a few days, but the paperwork had not yet been finalized.

"I totally understand his reasons for abruptly changing his mind to join Police,” Nshimiyimana said.

Meanwhile Police coach Leon Anselme Ruzindana is optimistic that their new recruit can propel them into the top four. 

"We changed our policy of not recruiting old players, because we are hopeful that if he (Gatete) stays fit for most part of the season, then he will definitely get us goals to reach our target of finishing in the top four,” Ruzindana said.

Gatete is considered to be the most prolific striker to have graced local football and was nicknamed ‘god of goals’ by fans.

He scored crucial goals during the 2004 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifications which saw Amavubi reach its first ever CAN competition in Tunisia.

The striker has featured for the country’s two most popular clubs APR and Rayon Sport.

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