Fresh transfer enquiries for Bafana defender

Ime Okon has been greeted with fresh transfer possibilities straight after the end of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup campaign.

Okon was amongst four Bafana players who were ever-present during the tournament.

The 22-year-old kept it simple in going about his duties at central defence in all four matches, showing minimal nerves in dealing with whatever came his way.

Okon attracting European suitors

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Now, it has emerged that his physique and the fact that he already has had a solid season playing in Germany’s second tier have made him a subject of interest.

German reports from earlier this week indicated that French clubs Olympique Lyon and AS Monaco have taken an interest.

While there has been fresh enquiries from the Major League Soccer plus the English Championship, his German club Hannover 96 are yet to be engaged.

The German second-tier club has a contract with Okon for another three years and will need to have their transfer terms met for the Bafana defender to leave.

It is believed €4 million (approx. R75 million) is what Hannover will be holding for. 

Hannover 96 coach Christian Titz has spoken glowingly in the German media about Okon.

Okon's route to the big time

The former Florida Park High School pupil, who started out with local club Florida Albion, has always been destined for Europe.

In January 2024 and just six months after making his debut at SuperSport United, he had a training spell with Danish club FC Midtjylland.

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This was after he trained with Cape Town City while he was in Grade 12 but then got no further response.

His development started at Albion, then took him through to a brief spell at Orlando Pirates before arriving at Randburg FC in 2023, from where he proceeded to SuperSport.

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2026 Fifa World Cup Bafana Bafana Hannover 96 Ime Okon Monaco News Olympique Lyonnais