MASERU — Lioli winger Montoeli Sonopo has finally joined Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the biggest transfer scoop in Lesotho’s football history.
Lioli president Lebohang Thotanyana on Tuesday said Sonopo’s move was now a done deal adding that the club will soon make an official announcement on the player’s move.
“The deal has been closed. It’s official that ‘Montoeli is leaving for Spain but I can’t divulge any further details because we will make a big announcement about his departure very soon,” Thotanyana said.
He added: “We have the contracts with us here and we are sorting his visa right now.”
The 17-year-old Sonopo becomes the first Mosotho to break into the lucrative Spanish league.
Thotanyana said Sonopo, who was a key cog in the Under-17 and Under-20 national sides, will leave Lesotho for Spain as soon as his visa is sorted out.
He added that Sonopo’s departure was a sign that the club’s development strategy was now bearing fruit.
“Our development programmes are bearing fruit. ’Montoeli (Sonopo) was identified during one of our development programmes and look where he is right now?” Thotanyana said.
Sonopo was spotted by scouts from the Spanish side during the Makoanyane XI’s Caf Under-20 Youth Championship qualifiers last year.
He was among 10 African footballers who were called for trials in Cameroon in November last year.
He impressed during the trials leading to negotiations between Atletico Madrid technical team and Lioli FC.
Negotiations between the two sides had been going on for several months before the deal was sealed.
Details regarding the transfer figure were not divulged as Lioli officials preferred to keep the matter under wraps.
It was also not possible to get how much the player is likely to earn a week.
