Sundowns Paid R20 Million To Sign Van Wyk

Mamelodi Sundowns have paid close to R20 million (€1 million) to secure the services of Antonio Van Wyk from Austrian club SV Ried.

While Chloorkop officials chose not to disclose the financial details of the transfer when announcing the 24-year-old on Tuesday, the Austrian side openly celebrated the windfall.

Van Wyk, who moved to Europe from Stellenbosch FC in 2024, becomes the first marquee signing under Masandawana head coach Miguel Cardoso ahead of the new campaign.

“Antonio Van Wyk’s move to African Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns is fixed! With proceeds of over one million euros, it is the record transfer in the club history of SV Oberbank Ried,” the Austrian club confirmed in an official statement.

Because the dynamic winger was locked into a long-term contract after anchoring Ried’s recent promotion charge, Sundowns had to trigger a massive buyout to secure his services.

The transfer fee is almost equivalent to the Betway Premiership prize money paid to Orlando Pirates last season for winning the league.

Van Wyk returns to South Africa following a highly productive two-year stint in Europe. He registered 53 competitive appearances for SV Ried—including 30 matches in the Austrian top flight—contributing four goals and seven assists.

SV Ried’s Managing Director of Sport, Wolfgang Fiala, bid a fond farewell to the South African talent while acknowledging the monumental economic impact of the deal.

“The transfer of Antonio van Wyk is by far the record transfer in the club’s history,” Fiala noted.

“This shows our development as a club in both the sporting and economic areas. I want to thank Toni for his achievements. It was a pleasure for every coach, teammate, and fan to watch him play.”

The move sets up an exciting reunion at Chloorkop. Van Wyk links back up with former Stellenbosch teammates Iqraam Rayners, Jayden Adams, and Fawaz Basadien. The formidable quartet previously inspired the Cape Winelands side to historic silverware, lifting the Carling Knockout title together back in 2023.