Jonathan Rafael da Silva: Who is the new Rayon Sports striker?

Brazilian striker Jonathan Rafael da Silva is the latest addition to Rayon Sports squad for the 2018-19 season as the club seek to win the Azam Rwanda Premier League and a ticket to CAF Champions League for the 2019-20 season. The development was confirmed by Rayon Sports Secretary General, Bernard Itangishaka. The 27-year-old is expected to jet in on Saturday and will reportedly proceed to pen a two-year contract with the Blues, completing a $50,000 move from Brazilian side Sousa Esporte Clube /PB. Born on September 15, 1991 in Caruaru, Brazil, Rafael da Silva will be unveiled on Sunday along with midfielder Fabrice Mugheni Kakule Kasereka, who rejoined the eight-time champions from SC Kiyovu on a two-deal earlier this week. The striker previously had a brief stint with Red Bull Juniors Salzburg in Austria’s top tier football league in 2010. Talking to this publication on Friday, the player’s agent Alex Karenzi said, “We have finalised all discussions and details of the contract. The player will be arriving in the country on Saturday evening to complete his signing and join his new teammates on Sunday.” Karenzi was the same agent behind the signing of Rayon Sports coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves de Calmo in May as well as the Ghanaian duo of Michael Sarpong Balloteri and Proper Donkor Kuka. Jonathan began his football at a young age at his home club Corinthians Alagoano in the coastal town of Maceió and would later rise through the ranks to be the top-scorer of the Brazilian U-18 Youth League with 17 goals in 2009 as well as the leading scorer of his then club – Campeonato Alagoano. He received his first professional contract in September 2009, and as a result was promoted to the club’s senior team. However, he was in February 2010 loaned to FC Salzburg in Austria for one season – until June 2011 when he scored five goals in 25 appearances. But after failing to impress the coaching staff at Salzburg, the striker returned to Corinthians and was released by the club in November 2011. The player has since featured for several Brazilian teams in Division II, most of the times for not more than one season – and mostly on loan deals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw