Cape Town City veteran defender Marc Van Heerden has traveled overseas to prepare for his post-playing career.

Van Heerden departed for Scotland on Sunday to begin his UEFA B license course with the Scottish FA.

The veteran defender saw an opportunity, as he was already suspended and set to miss the final game of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at Loftus Stadium. This break in his playing schedule allowed him to head to the United Kingdom.

There are rumors that the 36-year-old might retire from City. The club offered him a contract extension last season, which is expiring at the end of the current term.

This season, Van Heerden has started 20 out of 25 league matches for Eric Tinkler’s side, showcasing his versatility by playing across the back four – as a center back and at left back.

Van Heerden spent eight seasons with AmaZulu between 2008 and 2016, joining them from University of Pretoria before leaving the Durban club for Chippa United.

He spent six months with Chippa in the 2016/17 season before departing in the second half of that term to join Orlando Pirates, where he spent a season and a half with the Soweto giants.

During his time with Pirates, he was involved in the team’s 6-0 drubbing by Sundowns at Loftus Stadium in February 2017. Pirates ended up as runners-up that season.

He returned for a short stint with AmaZulu in the 2018/19 season before moving on again the following season, joining Stellenbosch where he spent three seasons under Steve Barker.

He then signed with Cape Town City ahead of last season, and so far, he has featured in 52 matches in all competitions for the club, scoring two goals.

At the Cape Town club’s awards ceremony on Saturday, Van Heerden was presented with the Citizen Award, described as an “award that celebrates a player who wholeheartedly serves the team and embodies the club’s values.”

Picture courtesy of Cape Town City