Hours before the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League gets underway, Uganda Cranes defender Gavin Kizito Mugweri is club-less, after being announced among the SC Villa departures.
The 20-year old’s future is in thin space with no concrete interests from within his native or beyond the borders, despite being a free agent.
The versatile defender joined the League record holders (16) midway through the 2020/21 campaign, after impressing with Uganda’s U-20 team in the Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania.
He captained the side, christened ‘The Hippos’ to the final where they eventually lost to the Ghanaian starlets 2-0.
Kizito kept his Villa starting berth throughout last season, and was even named captain in October 2021 by the then head coach, Petros Koukouras.
In the recently concluded transfer window, reports indicated the St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende soccer graduate demanded a hefty sign-on fee, coupled with other tough conditions if he were to renew as a Jogoo.
However, sources close to the player’s camp have refuted the allegations, claiming Villa set damning and unrealistic conditions.
“Gavin’s contract expired on August 31st, 2022, but the club made it hard for him to renew,” revealed a reliable source close to Football256, preferring anonymity.
“They were offering UGX5 million as sign-on fee for a three-year contract. The club was stuck on a UGX800,000 salary and this wasn’t helping in a business and development sense.”
“It wasn’t just about money, because the player received offers that were better deals here, but, he also values his development.”
Being unattached, the Uganda U-23 skipper is within every means to get a fresh employer, should he reach agreements with any.
“One thing I can assure you is, Gavin will play this season, either here or abroad. He’s a free agent so, he can enter the system,” he added.
The youngster is already an established Cranes player and is currently one of head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s most trusted soldiers.
Meanwhile, among the other confirmed exits is Martin Senkooto, Benerd Agele, Joseph Yiga, Isaac Ogwang and Shafik Bakaki.
Among the other leaving pack is veteran Sadam Juma, Ali Bayo, Salim Abdallah, Benson Muhindo, Nicholas Kabonge, Amir Kakomo and Sadam Masereka.
On the other hand, midfield prodigy, Travis Mutyaba has not been included among the exits, keeping him with the Blue boys for at least one more season.
