Why Sundowns asked me to leave - Nascimento after signing for Royal AM

After completing a deal with Royal AM, defender Ricardo Nascimento has revealed that he was asked to depart Chloorkop to open a foreigner spot which was taken by new signing Erwin Saavedra.

Nascimento’s was a integral part of the Downs side over his trophy-laden five-and-a-half-year stay at Chloorkop which came to an end this week when the Brazilian defender announced that he and the club had reached a mutual agreement to part ways.

Sundowns revealed that they had offered Nascimento a non-playing role at the club but the Brazilian declined as he felt he still had something to offer on the pitch.

On Thursday it was confirmed that the central defender had signed for Royal AM before he then took to social media to explain why he left Choorkop.

“I’m very grateful to Sundowns for all these years I have worn this shirt and for all the titles and achievements we have been able to conquer together as a team. I would also like to thank President Patrice Motsepe for all the support he has always given to me and my family…” he said in a tweet.

“My departure from the Sundowns was due to a request from the club, which needed to open a foreigner spot in the team for this season, so it was time to say goodbye.

. My departure from the Sundowns was due to a request from the club, which needed to open a foreigner spot in the team for this season, so it was time to say goodbye. Im very happy to announce that I will be joining a new family here in South Africa, the @royalam_fc family +

— Ricardo Nascimento (@r_nascimento05) February 10, 2022

“I’m very happy to announce that I will be joining a new family here in South Africa, the Royal AM family, and thank you President MaMkhize for opening the doors of the club for me, for allowing me to wear another important shirt in South African football. I will do my best for Royal AM…”