Orlando Pirates have announced that former Tottenham Hotspur coach Michael Loftman has joined the club as a first team analyst.

The position at the club was vacated by Rayaan Jacobs, who left the Soweto Giants to join Benni McCarthy’s coaching staff at Cape Town City.

The 27-year-old Englishman has a number of accolades on his CV, having spent time with both Spurs as a development coach, and fellow English Premier League side Watford as a sports scientist. He also has a Uefa A Coaching Licence and is a qualified sports scientist.

Loftman will join Milutin Sredojevic and Rhulani Mokwena in the Pirates backroom staff as they continue to rebuild the club. Pirates have been struggling in recent years, failing to pick up silverware since the Nedbank Cup in 2014.

The Buccaneers currently sit second on the Absa Premiership log behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Even if Pirates fail to chase down Pitso Mosimane’s team, Loftman will be hoping to contribute to the future successes at the club.