South African pro footballer Percy Tau may only be days away from a debut in Engligh football, three years too late.
Percy Tau could make his Brighton debut on Sunday
As reported by KickOff.com, Brighton and Hove Albion will be facing Newport County in the third round of the FA Cup, on Sunday.
Tau’s immediate recall in the January transfer window, to the club he signed for in 2018, may mean that Brighton are geared up to start the 26-year-old in two days. At least, that is what the club’s manager Graham Potter has hinted.
“It was his first day today and it’s exciting for all of us. He’s been training and playing in Belgium. He’s in the group for Sunday,” Potter said.
Tau’s road to the Premier League
Tau arrived in England, from Belgium’s Anderlecht, this week and hit the ground running. The attacking midfielder showed up for training and left Brighton managers impressed but for Potter, it’s the same level of commitment he has witnessed in Tau’s progress in the last three years.
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Suffice it to say, it’s something Anderlecht will miss in its attack.
In an Instagram post, Tau left these parting words with the Belgian club.
“Thank you very much [Anderlecht]. I wish the team success and it was a privilege to play for the club.”
As great of a place it may have been for Tau, his destiny was still in the Premier League. That was the dream when the 26-year-old had his spell at Mamelodi Sundowns (he was 24 then).
A work permit issue with the United Kingdom meant that before this could become a reality, he had to gain at least five years’ working experience in Europe.
How he pulled off an approved work permit in half the time is left to speculation. KickOff.com suggests that his progression in the EUFA Champions League with Club Brugge may have swayed decision makers to bring his stardom to the Premier League a lot sooner than expected.
Brighton manager excited to work with Tau
South Africans will be tuned into Sunday’s fixture and hope to see Tau make his FA Cup and club debut. If anything, Potter’s excitement to have Tau as a selection makes this all the more probable.
“He’s been playing at a really good level, particularly with Bruges and Anderlecht where he has been involved in the Champions League, and his next step is to show he is ready to make the transition into the Premier League,” he praised.
