Tanzanian giants Simba SC are preparing a bid to sign Rayon Sports skipper Abdul Rwatubyaye when the Summer transfer window opens.

The Lions are in need of a central defender and Times Sport understands that coach Robertinho Oliveira Gonçalves has told the club management to get him Rwatubyaye whom he admires a lot.

The pair worked together at Rayon Sports during the 2018/2019 season where they won the Rwandan Premier League and they have since built a great relationship.

Rwatubyaye signed a two-year deal with Rayon Sports in August 2022 after successful spells in the United States with Major League Soccer sides Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas as well as FK Shkupi in Macedonia before he suffered a horror injury that kept him out of action for seven months, prompting the club to terminate his contract.

The Rwanda international has been a key figure in Blues’ defense in the league and Peace Cup and his performance at club level rewarded him a spot back to the national team.

Simba would have to meet his buyout clause on his two-year contract which expires in June 2024.

The club wants to build a winsome team for the 2023/24 season after struggling domestically, with arch rivals Yanga SC hot favorites to win the league title this season.