Ajax Cape Town have promoted promising teenager Luthando Matheza from the U19 team to the Absa Premiership squad for the 2016-17 season.

The 18-year-old midfielder joined the Urban Warriors youth academy back in 2010 at the tender age of 12, he became the latest player to be promoted to the senior team by coach Roger De Sa.

Matheza signed his first professional contract with the club after making impressive progress through the club’s youth ranks. Luthando will join Masilake Phohlongo, Sergio Kammies and Darren Johnson in the PSL squad, all of whom were recently promoted from the club’s U19 side, reports the Ajax Cape Town website.

The former Ajax youth product played a vital role in helping the U19 squad win a double cup in Europe recently, being crowned 2016 NextGen and ESAD Cup champions.

Matheza also captained the U17 side and lead them to victory in the 2015 Engen Knockout Championships, lifting both the Regional and National title.

The 51-year-old coach insists that if Matheza continues on his path of progression, he believes the 18-year-old will become the next star player at Ajax.

‘It’s absolutely great to have another quality youngster in the squad. Luthando has come along very well with his progress throughout the youth ranks. He recently had a great Engen tournament where he won all the awards,’ De sa said.

‘He continued to develop after that and played a big part in our U19’s being so successful in Europe, winning two trophies over there. The next six months is vital for Luthando now, if he continues to develop on this path, he can definitely become the next Ajax star,’ he added.

This season the Urban Warriors placed 10th on the Absa Premiership table with 37 points after winning the MTN8 against Kaizer Chiefs back in September, defeating the Glamour Boys 1-0 in the final.

PHOTO: Ajax Cape Town website