Sundowns recall Saavedra from Club Bolivar loan

Mamelodi Sundowns have recalled midfielder Erwin Saavedra from a loan spell at Club Bolivar, the South American side have revealed, an interesting twist in the club’s foreigner conundrum.

Saavedra has spent the last six months at Club Bolivar, making 13 appearances, but will now return to Chloorkop having had his loan spell cut in half.

It means Sundowns now have seven foreigners on their books, with two either set to leave or be loaned out.

It seems most likely four who stay will be the Chilean Marcelo Allende, Brazilians Arthur Sales and Lucas Ribeiro, and the Argentine Matias Esquivel.

You would have to assume Saavedra will be reintegrated too, unless he is going somewhere else on loan for a higher fee, which leaves Moroccan defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Ethiopian forward Abubeker Nasir in the wilderness.

Nasir is perpetually injured but did feature for Sundowns in their Austrian pre-season camp, though that could be as they get ready to sell him.

Saavedra also spent a lot of time on the treatment table following his arrival at Sundowns in January 2022. He made only one league start and two overall – in the two years he spent with the club.