Why there’s no upfront fee for Aphelele Teto’s overseas deal

Livingston FC boss David Martindale has revealed details of Aphelele Teto’s deal that will see him leave TS Galaxy, explaining why there is no upfront fee.

Teto has signed a four-year deal with the Scottish outfit and will play his football overseas. 

Martindale spoke to Scottish journalist Ronnie Esplin of PA Sport about his first encounter with the South African youth international and the nature of the deal.

HOW LIVINGSTON SPOTTED TETO 

The Scottish professional football club were in Turkey last year at the same time as TS Galaxy.

“We used to sit and watch Galaxy training, and this kid was unbelievable,” he is quoted by PA Sport.

“Then we watched TS Galaxy against Giresunspor, who are in the Turkish Super League, and Teto was fantastic. Honestly, he was brilliant. 

“He brought a smile to your face, so I kept in touch with the people at TS Galaxy, and over the summer, I asked about the chances of getting the boy in. So we struck a deal where there is no upfront fee.”

THE NATURE OF APHELELE TETO’S DEAL 

He believes it’s a win-win for both clubs and the player.

“It is a win-win; we are going to put one of their players in the shop window. “The South African Premier League is a market that I probably need to explore a bit more. 

“It is a very good standard, a good level of football in terms of technical ability and athletic ability. 

“So we have struck up that partnership. TS have a large percentage of any sell-on. We will keep a large percentage of the sell-on if the player comes in and does well. It is a win-win for both parties. 

“Teto is going to come in, I think he is one for the future, and I won’t put too much expectation on him just now. He is a 20-year-old kid leaving his family home in South Africa.”

Martindale said he was yet to see a kid a Teto’s age with the technical ability he has. However, he indicated Teto would “become more of a development signing”.

“He won’t be a first-team player right now, but he will be in and out of the squad.”

Teto was demoted by TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic as a corrective measure last season. Ramovic is on record saying the youngster thought he was Messi after a few good performances. 

Story By Joshua Hendricks

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