SuperSport United have officially named goalkeeper Ronwen Williams as club captain.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper is the new Matsatsantsa captain and replaces Dean Furman, who left the club with immediate effect to return to the United Kingdom.

Williams joined the Matsatsantsa academy in 2005 and captained the U17 team to victory in the Engen Knock-out competition, coached by his current mentor, Kaitano Tembo, in 2008.

He was promoted to the first team in 2011-12 season at the age of 19 and made his debut in a Caf Champions league match against Matlama FC, keeping a clean sheet.

Nine years later he had broken the club record with 310 caps under his belt, keeping 118 clean sheets.

Williams has collected seven trophies during his Matsatsantsa stay, which include three Nedbank Cup and MTN 8 trophies and a Telkom Knock-Out title.

‘I have learned so much over the years through the different leaders and I will put everything into practice. I would like to give special thanks to our head coach, Kaitano Tembo, for trusting me once again to lead the team as he did in 2008 at the academy,’ Williams told his club’s official Twitter page.

‘The chairman [Khulu Sibiya] and the CEO [Stan Matthews] have given me their full support and this a massive challenge for me, but one I will cherish and give my level best at all times.’

Matsatsantsa head coach Kaitano Tembo added: ‘Ronwen Williams came through our development ranks and has been with us since the age of 12. Ronwen knows the club culture and is well respected in the dressing room,’ Tembo said.

‘He was working very well with Dean Furman as his vice-captain and I have no doubt that he will carry the baton from where Dean left off. I wish him all the best and success, because he deserves it.’

Meanwhile, SuperSport CEO, Stan Matthews had this to say about the new club captain:

‘I can’t think of anyone more deserving of captaining our club than Ronwen. He is unique in South African football having been with us for 15 years since the age of 12,’ Matthews said.

‘He is a flagship of our culture and our pride in promoting from within and I am confident he will lead us to continued success and be a great ambassador for us both on and off the field.’