Karekezi signs for Tunisia’s Bizerte FC

AMAVUBI Stars skipper Olivier Karekezi has completed his move to Tunisia’s Premier league club Bizerte FC in a two-year deal, he confirmed to Times Sport.

Saturday, September 22, 2012
APR skiper Olivier Karekezi shields the ball from an Esperance Sportif de Tunis opponent in last year's Champions League clash in Kigali. The New Times / File.

AMAVUBI Stars skipper Olivier Karekezi has completed his move to Tunisia’s Premier league club Bizerte FC in a two-year deal, he confirmed to Times Sport.The striker said, "I am happy to have completed this move. It is a two-year contract and I will be heading to Bizerte on October 2 to join my new teammates.”"I am happy and do thank Amavubi head coach Milutin Sredojovic Micho for everything he did in helping me to land a professional deal with Bizerte FC.”And the departing APR captain added, "I call upon APR fans to support the new generation of young players, who have joined the club such that they can win titles and even improve their career.”Karekezi had one year remaining on his contract with APR, which he joined last year from Swedish side Östers IF. The 29-year old striker took a pay cut to play for his former club.The attacking midfielder, who was getting $52,000 (Rwf30.9m) a year at Swedish second division side Osters IF, agreed a two-year deal with the Primus League champions in the region of US$24, 000 (Rwf14 million) a year.He leaves APR FC, which he helped secure the national football league title as well as the MTN Peace Cup tournament, after scoring 14 goals.Karekezi’s career started with APR way back in 2002 before he left to join Sweden’s top division club Helsingborgs IF in 2005.He scored five goals in 18 matches during the 2005 season. In 2006, he scored 11 goals for Helsingborg, becoming the top scorer in Allsvenskan.In January 2008, Karekezi moved to Norwegian side Hamarkameratene. In March 2010, he returned to Sweden and played for second division club Östers IF for two years.CA Bizertin, who have won the Tunisian League four times, finished second to Esperance du Tunis last season with 61 points in 27 matches.In Tunisia, Karekezi joins fellow Amavubi forward Meddie Kagere, who signed a two-year contract with Premier League club Esperance Sportive de Zarzis.Kagere sealed the deal in August after passing a medical in a move which is reported to have cost over $150,000.The 26-year-old Rwandan international spent two seasons at Police FC, scoring 28 goals in two seasons.