Latest news with #ImeOkon
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Hannover 96 to give Ime Okon enough time to settle in Germany
The MD of Bundesliga B side Hannover 96, Marcus Mann, says they are going to give former SuperSport United defender Ime Okon all the time he needs to settle at the German club. Okon, who recently made his Bafana Bafana debut during the Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein, has been a standout performer for United for the past few seasons in the heart of the defence. 'Ime is a player with exciting potential and very good physical attributes. Christian Titz and André Kilian have been observing his development for some time. We then collected data on him during scouting and evaluated his athletic profile, which is exceptional,' said Mann.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ime Okon Seals Move to Hannover 96
"I'm very happy to sign with Hannover 96. I'm taking on this challenge of playing in Germany with great joy," Okon said. Ime Okon has signed for German side Hannover 96 following the expiry of his contract with SuperSport United. Pic: Hannover 96 IG. Ime Okon has fulfilled his ambition of playing overseas after signing with German side Hannover 96. The 21-year-old defender joins the 2. Bundesliga outfit as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with SuperSport United. Okon, after a standout 2023/24 season with Matsatsantsa a Pitori, was linked with potential moves to Belgium, England, and Ukraine. Earlier this year, he trialed with Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv but was unable to secure a deal to further his development in Europe. He was also linked with Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. ALSO READ: Chislett completes Chiefs' transfer Tuesday His move to Hannover brings an end to months of speculation about his future. The German club have been monitoring his progress for some time and has now secured his services on a four-year contract. 'Ime is a player with exciting attributes and excellent physical qualities. Christian Titz and André Kilian have been following his progress for some time,' said Hannover 96 managing director Marcus Mann. 'We then gathered scouting data on him and analysed his athletic profile, which is exceptional. It's clear that he will need time to adapt, but he is extremely eager to learn, so we absolutely see the potential for him to develop very well. For now, the main thing is for him to settle in well in Hannover and with our team.' Okon delighted with German move Okon began his youth career at Randburg FC before joining SuperSport United's academy, eventually breaking into the first team. He made 57 appearances for the Tshwane-based side, who have reportedly been sold to a consortium from Bloemfontein. 'I'm very happy to sign with Hannover 96. I'm taking on this challenge of playing in Germany with great joy,' Okon said. 'I'm really excited about the club, I want to become a better player here and grow as a person. I'd describe myself as a quick and strong defender. I'll try to bring those strengths to the team from the start and help however I can.' ALSO READ: Chiefs announce new striker Silva On the international stage, Okon was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that reached the final of the 2024 COSAFA Cup, where they were narrowly beaten by Angola. He netted his first goal in national team colours during a group stage clash against Zimbabwe.
The South African
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs target chooses a tasty move to Europe instead
Kaizer Chiefs have lined up several transfer targets, but Ime Okon has spurned their advances in favour of a sexy move to Germany. 21-year-old Okon is already a key pillar in SuperSport United's defence. Okeon recently scored for South Africa in a key Cosafa Cup clash against Zimbabwe. 'Chiefs will still finish ninth with their new signings' SuperSport United defender Ime Okon, still just 21, is one of the most coveted players in South Africa's Betway Premiership. His talents haven't gone unnoticed in Europe. Kaizer Chiefs pre-season tour schedule 08 July, 19:00 vs. Vitesse Arnhem 11 July, 16:00 vs. FC Utrecht (behind closed doors) 12 July, 14:00 vs. NEC Nijmegen 15 July, 19:00 vs. PEC Zwolle 16 July, 19:00 vs. FC Twente The behind-closed-doors (no fans in the stadium) clash with Utrecht was initially going to be the first match of the tour. However, Chiefs face Vitesse first on 08 July. What's also slightly underwhelming is that none of the traditional three giants, Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven, are on the itinerary. The last time that none of those sides won the Dutch Eredivisie was when Twente became champions in 2009-2010. Chiefs target Serbian-based flop striker Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Image: @KaizerChiefs/X Will Oken succeed in Europe? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs get reality check on youngster, while winger arrives
Kaizer Chiefs' chances of signing Ime Okon have seemingly dissipated as the SuperSport United youngset seems set for Europe. According to reports, the 21-year-old, soon to be free agent is close to signing with an unnamed German side, tarnishing AmaKhosi hopes. Okon amassed 20 league appearances last campaign. 'Ime Okon is on the verge of joining an unnamed German side on a free transfer,' iDiski Times confirmed. 'Okon has been heavily linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs in the past few weeks with the 21-year-old centre-back having been impressive since making his debut for Matsatsantsa in August 2023. 'This publication has it in good authority that an unnamed German side is on the verge of agreeing personal terms with Okon and will sign him on a free transfer. Should Okon's camp reach an agreement with the German side, he will fly over for medicals.' Remaining in Europe, Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly put pen to paper with winger Ethan Chislett after he was released by newly promoted League One side Port Vale. Another free agent who is presumably on AmaKhosi's radar is Rowan Human, who has already been offered to the Soweto giants. 'AmaZulu FC midfielder Rowan Human has been offered to Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs by his representatives as he is set to leave the club on a free transfer. Human will leave Usuthu at the end of June after his contract expires after the 24-year-old failed to reach an agreement with the club on a new contract,' a source revealed. 'Human has been offered to both Soweto giants by his representatives and it could only be a matter of time before he gets snapped up as he will be a free agent and rediscovered his old form.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
BIG blow: Kaizer Chiefs to miss out on Bafana Bafana youngster!
Kaizer Chiefs are on the verge of missing out on a free transfer for a Bafana Bafana youngster this window. Chiefs were rumoured to be finalising a deal to sign SuperSport United defender Ime Okon on a free transfer. Okon is set to be a free agent in a week's time, this after the conclusion of his contract with SuperSport. Having recently played for Bafana in the COSAFA Cup, rumours swirled that he was signing for Chiefs . Then more reports came out of arch rivals Orlando Pirates also joining the race for his signature. Now that he is done with international duty, the player and his camp are finalising his future. According to iDiski Times , his future doesn't lie with either Chiefs or Pirates. According to the publication, Okon is on his way to Germany to conclude a deal with an unnamed side. 'SuperSport United defender Ime Okon is on the verge of joining an unnamed German side on a free transfer. Okon has been heavily linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs in the past few weeks with the 21-year-old centre-back having been impressive since making his debut for Matsatsantsa in August 2023. This publication has it in good authority that an unnamed German side is on the verge of agreeing personal terms with Okon and will sign him on a free transfer. Should Okon's camp reach an agreement with the German side, he will fly over for medicals.' Wrote the publication. It now remains to be seen which German club he will be signing for and at which level do they ply their trade. Okon was rumoured to be on the verge of joining a Ukrainian side in Dynamo Kyiv just in January. It now seems that his destiny is abroad, a big blow to Chiefs if they, indeed, tried to sign him. Chiefs fans will it hurt to see Okon move elsewhere and miss out on him for free? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
