Orlando Pirates are persisting in their pursuit of ex-Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar.

The 34-year-old midfielder is currently training with David Moyes’ Sunderland side but having not been offered a contract wth the club Pirates are still hopeful of securing his signature.

The Buccaneers are determined to acquire the star, with Bucs’ administrative officer Floyd Mbele claiming the side has already approached the player with an offer.

‘We’ve done all that we are supposed to. We’ve tabled an offer and we’re now waiting for him [Pienaar] to come back to us,’ Mbele told Isolezwe.

‘We are hopeful that he will come back to us before the start of the season,’ he added.

Mbele has explained that despite Pienaar’s close association with Sunderland the club are not overly concerned with the prospect of him joining the Premier League side.

‘Negotiating contracts with top players like Pienaar takes a bit of time. It usually takes longer to reach an agreement because a player must consider a lot of things,’ Mbele said, pointing out that the player’s family was still based in Europe.

Pienaar made just six appearances in all competitions for Everton last season before being released by the Toffees.

Pirates, meanwhile, get their new Premiership campaign underway when they face Golden Arrows at home on August 24.

Kick-off is at 19:30.