Sundowns emerge as possible destination for unattached South Africa defender Deano Van Rooyen

South African right-back Deano Van Rooyen, currently without a club, is being linked with a move to Sundowns.

The 29-year-old left Orlando Pirates on 21 August after helping the club win the South African league title during the 2025-26 season. He also contributed to Pirates’ success in the South African cup and MTN8 during the same campaign.

Van Rooyen joined Orlando Pirates from Stellenbosch FC in August 2024, having spent eight years with the Western Cape club. His departure came shortly before the start of the 2026-27 Betway Premiership season, in which he has not made an appearance.

He has also recorded no appearances in the 2026-27 MTN8, leaving him without competitive minutes since the start of the new campaign. The defender’s listed market value is €1.2m.

Van Rooyen’s previous honours include two South African cup triumphs, with Stellenbosch in 2023-24 and Orlando Pirates in 2025-26, as well as the league and MTN8 titles won with Pirates last season.

Sundowns are the club currently linked with the defender in the Betway Premiership. No transfer fee or contract terms have been reported, and the move remains at the rumour stage. Van Rooyen remains without a club.