The Stellies have lost the key midfielder to a European club
Stellenbosch FC have lost yet another high-profile player after midfielder Antonio van Wyk joined Austrian second division club SV Ried.
Stellenbosch confirmed the departure of Van Wyk, who graduated from the club’s development structures, after signing from the Ubuntu FC academy.
Van Wyk progressed through Stellenbosch’s reserve ranks, where he helped Stellies win the DStv Diski Challenge and Premier League Next Generation Cup titles in 2022, earning him promotion to the first team under coach Steve Barker.
“Antonio has grown from a promising young player into a mature professional during his time in Stellenbosch and he now has an incredible opportunity to take his career to Europe,” said Stellenbosch CEO Rob Benadie.
What has SV Ried said about Antonio van Wyk?
“We are immensely proud to see one of our own representing the club and the town on an international level and wish him nothing but success in Austria and beyond.”
Van Wyk’s transfer fee has not been revealed but the Austrian club is thrilled by his signing as they feel he will be a great replacement for one of their departed star players.
“Antonio van Wyk has exactly the profile we were looking for after the departure of Belmin Beganovic. He has very good depth and also brings great strengths in the game between the lines,” said SV Ried Managing Director Wolfgang Fiala.
“He really wanted to come to Europe and our assistant coach Moritz Kossmann gave us precise information about what makes Toni tick and how he fits in with us. Toni will certainly need some time to get used to things and we will give him that.
The midfielder brings plenty of experience to Austria
“With the signing of Van Wyk and the professional contract of Daniel Wimmer, we are taking further steps in our transfer strategy, in which we are bringing in exciting project players from our academy and from abroad to join a core of experienced players who fit exactly with our sporting idea.”
Van Wyk made 77 senior appearances across all competitions for Stellenbosch and helped the club to the 2023 Carling Knockout trophy, his performances also earning him call-ups to Bafana Bafana squads for the 2022 and 2024 COSAFA Cup campaigns.
“I am very happy that I was able to sign with SV Guntamatic Ried. I feel that this is a great club to take my first steps in Europe and I promise that I will do my best and hopefully create a positive atmosphere in the club. I am ready, let's go,” said Van Wyk.
Van Wyk is the third high-profile player to leave Stellenbosch in the current transfer window following the departures of Deano van Royen to Orlando Pirates and Iqraam Rayners to Mamelodi Sundowns.
