All Whites striker Andre de Jong joins South African giants Orlando Pirates

All Whites striker Andre de Jong has completed his move from Stellenbosch FC to a fellow South African rival.

The Soweto-based Orlando Pirates confirmed the move on their social media, saying “a new Buccaneer joins the ship”.

The Buccaneers sit at the top of the South African Premier Soccer League on 28 points, two ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns and with a game in hand.

De Jong leaves a Stellenbosch side flirting with relegation in 14th place after having won three of their 14 games this season.

He could make his debut for the league leaders on January 24 when they travel to third-place Sekhukhune United.

The 29-year-old forward scored 19 goals in 114 games for Stellenbosch after joining the team in January 2023 and earning a reputation for a high work ethic and making a positive contribution in attack.

Andre de Jong in action for New Zealand All Whites v Papua New Guinea at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Qatar, in 2022. Photo / Tom Kirkwood, Photosport

De Jong has played in South Africa since the 2019/20 season, joining the Durban outfit AmaZulu FC.

Before this he had stints in New Zealand at Wanderers SC, Canterbury United and Eastern Suburbs while also spending some time at Hakoah Sydney in Australia.

The forward is son of former All White Fred de Jong and has made 11 appearances for New Zealand, scoring twice.

He was named in the All Whites’ squad for their October fixtures but only played in the national team’s 1-0 loss to Poland after coming on for starting centre forward Ben Waine in the 72nd minute.

De Jong was named on the bench for the subsequent games, including a draw with Norway and losses to Colombia and Ecuador.

This was the first time he had been named in an All Whites squad since September 2022 when he started up front alongside Chris Wood in a 1-0 loss to Australia.

His two goals for New Zealand came in 2022 against New Caledonia during World Cup qualification and 2018 in an Intercontinental Cup game against India.