The Former Orlando Pirates midfielder and Zimbabwe international, Marshall Munetsi (28), has completed a £16,6 million (R386 million) transfer from French side Stade Reims to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.
The 28-year-old Zimbabwean is the third signing made by Wolves’ head coach, Vítor Pereira, during the busy winter transfer window. This move comes as part of the club’s efforts to strengthen its squad after a disappointing first half of the season, in which Wolves lost 15 games and accumulated only 19 points from 24 matches.
Speaking to Wolves’ media team, Munetsi expressed his excitement about the move, calling it a dream come true for him, his family, and his home country of Zimbabwe.
“I’m delighted. It’s a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to be part of something big, and bei1ng part of Wolves is something that is very big for me, and is big for my family,” Munetsi said.
“It’s a team that I’ve also seen from afar, and the Premier League is the best place to be, so I’m delighted to join the family, to join the team.
“I’m very excited. It’s probably going to be the first time I’ve had a big opportunity to be representing a bigger club. Nothing against Reims, but now you’re going to be playing in the Premier League, playing for Wolves.
“Also, we have a greater population in England for Zimbabweans, I think I will feel even more at home than what I was doing in France.”
Munetsi began his senior football career in 2015 when he signed for South African National First Division side Ubuntu Cape Town. He made 22 appearances and scored one goal in his only season with the Cape Town-based club before moving to Baroka FC in 2016.
After one season with Baroka, Munetsi joined one of Africa’s most prominent clubs, Orlando Pirates, in 2017. After breaking into the first team, the 28-year-old made 37 appearances across all competitions, which led to his move to French Ligue 1 side Stade Reims.
Over his five-and-a-half seasons in France, Munetsi made 159 appearances for Stade Reims in all competitions.
According to a report by KickOff, Munetsi’s early days at Ubuntu Cape Town were not easy, as he earned only R5,000 a month. Recent reports now suggest that he will earn around R1 million per week at his new club in the Premier League.
