FORMER Orlando Pirates skipper, Riaan Cloete, is about to jump ship to join former MTC/NPL champions African stars permanently after spending last season on loan at relegated Hotspurs.

Cloete, who captained the Buccaneers at the tender age of 24, helping them win an NFA Cup and one league title, was loaned to Hotspurs following disagreements with the Pirates management shortly after his return from playing for Primiero De Agosto in Angola’s top league during the 2009/10 season, where he scored 10 goals in 23 games.

“I am not returning to Pirates after all that happened there, but I enjoyed every moment playing for them. With Hotspurs relegated, the rational thing for me to do is join a Premier League team to stay up. I will be having a meeting with the Stars’ management this week Tuesday regarding my joining them,” Cloete confirmed to Informanté Sport.

The pint-sized midfield minder, who had also once turned out for the Brave Warriors, will make Stars his fourth club in four years, following brief stints at Pirates, Primeiro De Agosto and Hotspurs.