The Rwandan June-July transfer window has seen a host of clubs making significant signings which could potentially define their season. It has been a transfer market dominated by players from Ghana and Nigeria with champions APR FC, Rayon Sports, Muhazi United, Police FC and Mukura VS leading the way in the business. Times Sport takes a look at the best 10 signings in the summer Rwandan transfer window. Richmond Lamptey (APR FC) Arguably the biggest signing in the transfer window so far, the left footed offensive midfielder was the skipper of the biggest club in Ghana Kumasi Asante Kotoko before deciding to join APR when his contract expired. The army side paid a whopping $120,000 as signing on fee to get Lamptey as Kotoko were eager to do everything possible to make him extend his contract. Lamptey 27, is a Ghana Black Stars player and was part of the team which participated in the 2023 AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire. ALSO READ: Lamptey eager to achieve great things with APR FC Richard Kilongozi (Police FC) Kilongozi was arguably Kiyovu’s standout performer on his debut season despite club’s unimpressive outing in the 2023/24 topflight league campaign where they finished 7th on the table. The Burundi international netted 9 goals and was constantly efficient on the right wing. His exhilarating pace and his eye for goal or an assist made him a fearsome attacker. Kiyovu could not hold onto him due to financial constraints pushing him to sign a two-year deal for Police FC on an undisclosed fee. Abdul Jalilu (Mukura Victory Sports) Those who watched the 2023/24 CAF Confederation cup will attest to Jalilu’s quality at the back of Dreams FC. Jalilu was the captain and the solid rock at the back when the Ghanaian side reached the semifinals of the continental club competition. At just 24, he had captained Dreams FC for four years during which he made 150 Ghana Premier League appearances. He had been pursued by Supersport United of South Africa before agreeing to join Mukura Victory Sports after he was impressed by the football project the club is rolling out. Agyenim Boateng Mensah (Mukura Victory Sports) Boateng was the second top scorer in the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League, finishing the season with 14 goals in just 19 games. He also scored three goals and provided three assists as Dreams FC reached the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals. Boateng is a flamboyant attacker and, despite being a number 9, he is also capable of playing as a number 10 and even attacking from the wings. Elijah Ani (Police FC) The Nigerian striker quickly settled for life in the Rwandan league as it took him just one season to finish the campaign as joint top scorer, tying 15 goals with countryman Victor Mbaoma who plies his trade at APR. His goals were instrumental for Bugesera FC who escaped relegation on the final match day of the league campaign. Ani had one-year more on his Bugesera contract, but Police FC triggered his buyout clause to secure his services, paying Rwf 40 million. Olivier Niyonzima (Rayon Sports) The Rwandan midfielder left Kiyovu Sports at the end of the 2023/24 season months after the club suspended him for six games over misconduct. He made a sensational return to Rayon Sports for a second spell at the club he played for between 2015 and 2019 before joining APR FC. Initially, Blues president Fidele Uwayezu had said that he wouldn’t need the midfielder’s services but, after parting ways with Emmanuel Mvuyekure, the player was signed. He will be looking to revive the team’s glory days that he enjoyed with returning Brazilian coach Robertinho. Fitina Omborenga (Rayon Sports) Fitina established himself as best and most consistent right-back at APR but, after seven years at the club, he made a decision to find new adventure and signed for rivals Rayon Sports as a free agent. The Rwanda international’s exploits over the years define a quality defender he is and Robertinho will hope to count on his services as he aims to win the title for the Rayon for the first time in six years. No official figure worth of his signing on fee was announced but close sources suggest he pocketed not less than Rwf 30 million to put pen to paper on a two-year deal. Mohamadou Lamine Ba (APR FC) Ba joined APR as a free agent after his contract with Tunisian outfit Olympique Beja came to an end on July 1. Though a right winger, he is also capable of playing in midfield. He is a Malian prospect made 44 appearances in the Tunisian top tier league in two years scoring four goals and providing 4 assists. Abdul Rahman Rukundo (Rayon Sports) Rukundo scored 12 league goals and provided nine assists in his maiden season with Amagaju FC. His performance caught the attention of Rayon Sports who paid the Nyamagabe-based club Rwf 20 million to tie him down to a two-year deal. The Burundian was arguably the best offensive midfielder in the 2023/24 season, contributing 21 goal contribution in the 28 games he featured. Seidu Yussif Dauda (APR FC) It was actually not Dauda that APR scout travelled to Ghana to watch in Samartex, but instead their skipper Emmanuel Keyekeh who is now at Singida Black Stars in Tanzania. The scout watched Samartex’s two league games during which Dauda stole the show especially when he won man of the match during his side’s 2-0 win over Accra Lions. That’s when the scout switched his attention to Dauda rather and a deal was done. APR paid Samartex $100,000 to secure his services he was under contract. He had a bright start at the army side during their CECAFA Kagame Cup campaign, winning the man of the match after club goalless draw with SC Villa.
