‘We Needed This Finisher’: Ouaddou Lifts Lid On Rare European Signing
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the club went all out to sign Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen to solve their conversion rate issues ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 27-year-old Hamar-born forward joined The Buccaneers from Norwegian second-tier side Sogndal Fotball on a contract running until 2028, with an option to extend.
Pirates actively sought attacking reinforcements following the departure of Tshegofatso Mabasa, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Stellenbosch FC. Pedersen’s arrival adds crucial firepower to an attack featuring Evidence Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Boitumelo Radiopane.
Fresh off winning a domestic treble last term, the Soweto giants are tasked with mounting a deeper run in the CAF Champions League—a key reason they ventured into the European market to secure a clinical finisher.
Speaking ahead of Pirates’ league title defense against newly promoted Milford FC at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon, Ouaddou explained the club’s decision to invest heavily in the striker.
“The scouting department of the club, I think we were looking for a profile that can help us increase our conversion rate,” said Ouaddou at a press conference on Tuesday.
“As you know, last season we were the team on the continent with the best average of chances created, and we have some good players with us. I think he’s integrating very well with the group.
“As you have seen, last season we needed this finisher, this profile who can finish the actions.
“I think the scouting department identified him, we studied him, and I think he’s somebody who can bring us freshness, quality and his competencies.
“That’s why it was very important for us to have him with us for a couple of days in Spain, trying to integrate him because, as you know, you can be a good player, but when you come into a new environment, we have to make it easy for him and integrate him into our collective.”
Pedersen participated in Pirates’ recent pre-season camp in Spain, featuring in friendly matches to build chemistry with attacking partners Makgopa, Mbuthuma, and Radiopane.
Before his stint at Sogndal Fotball, Pedersen gained top-flight experience in Norway’s Eliteserien with Strømsgodset and Stabæk, bringing European top-tier development to the PSL.
Signing players directly from European leagues remains a rarity for Orlando Pirates. Having netted 59 goals in 166 competitive appearances across Scandinavia, Pedersen will now look to hit the ground running in his new African surroundings.
