Former Leeds United and Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe is pleased that next season South Africa will have Lyle Foster playing in one of Europe elite leagues, the English Premier League, bringing some needed reputation to the country.
This after Burnley recent secured promotion of next season with an incredible seven games to spare.
Foster joined Burnley in the January transfer window, with coach Vincent Kompany adding the former Orlando Pirates striker to push his side over the line.
He was signed from Belgian side K.V.C. Westerlo, where he netted eight goals in addition to three assists in the first half of the season, with the understood to be around around €7m (R131m).
But that fee has risen to €10m (R187m) now that Burnley is promoted to the Premier League, as it reportedly activated a clause in the agreement between the two clubs
It means Foster’s move is the highest fee paid by an European club for a South African player abroad. He will become the first player from Mzansi to play in the Premier League since Percy Tau left Brighton & Hove and Albion in 2021, which excites Radebe.
“We have one player at least now in the EPL, which is brilliant,” Radebe, who is rated as one of the best players from Africa to have played in the EPL, told iDiski Times.
“I think it will be an inspiration for more (SA) players to follow suit and I just want to wish him all the best and let him know that we are watching.
“I think the spotlight now is on him, to show how he does with Burnley because he is one of their good players. I hope he does well for them.”
Radebe spent 11 years with Leeds, leading them to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League in 2000/01 season where they lost to losing finalists Valencia.
He featured in 197 league appearances for Leeds in the EPL, before retiring in 2005 after Leeds were relegated to the Championship.
‘Rhoo’ said Foster, who scored twice for Bafana in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Liberia last month, is under good hands with Kompany, who led the club to promotion.
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The Belgian tactician was appointed by Burnley at the beginning of the season and is regarded as one of the best defenders in EPL history, having won four Premier League titles with Manchester City.
“If you work with someone who was an inspiration, not just made it at the highest level, surely he will be an inspiration to him and I’m sure we will see a good Lyle Foster,” added Radebe.
“He will be a better player and come back to help the national team.”
