Ålandic outfit IFK Mariehamn have officially announced the signing of former Orlando Pirates midfielder Yanga Baliso.

The 22-year-old spent time with the Buccaneers reserve team before he was promoted to the Soweto giants’ first team ahead of the 2017-18 season.

The Cape Town-born midfielder was then loaned out to National First Division side Cape Umoya the following season before earning a move to Finnish side Paragas IF.

However, Mariehamn have since confirmed the capture of the former Ajax Cape Town youth product:

‘The whole Åland team, IFK Mariehamn, has completed [the signing of] another midfielder Yanga Baliso [and] agreed on a two-plus one-year contract.

‘Baliso is a 22-year-old South African player who has trained with, among other things, Orlando Pirates before taking the step to Europe by joining Pargas IF for the fall season [of] 2019.

‘The purpose of the move to Pargas IF was for Yanga to have the opportunity to show off for clubs higher up in the series system.’