Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has outlined the reasons why the club signed Sammy Seabi from Polokwane City.

Sundowns, who have not been particularly busy in the transfer market, confirmed on Friday that Seabi had become their third signing of the window.

The midfielder accepted Downs three-year contract from Polokwane City and is set to compete for a midfield berth with the likes of Rivaldo Coetzee, Hlompho Kekana, Tiyani Mabunda and Andile Jali.

Speaking after his side’s opening game 2-0 win over SuperSport United in the Tshwane derby, Mosimane admitted that Seabi was brought in to add a physical presence in the Masadawana midfield.

‘Sammy is a strategic signing, more relevant for the Champions League. You saw how we struggled with set pieces when they bring Clayton [Daniels], Grant Kekana, [Thamsanqa] Gabuza, [Bradley] Grobler and [Evans] Rusike. Those are big boys. How do you defend against six of them when you have small players? You need the body also, body counts. That’s why we brought in Mauricio Affonso [too],’ said Mosimane.

‘So, in the Champions League when you go Wydad, when you go to Al Ahly they push the small ones, they always push away my players, they can’t handle.

‘Seabi is a strategic signing. Maybe you guys are surprised why we signed a player [who has] not been playing for four or five months on the bench, but I don’t want him to do many things. He must get the ball and give Vila [Sibusiso Vilakazi], he must get the ball and give [Themba] Zwane. Also on set pieces he can help because he has the height,’ concluded.