Dutch goalkeeper Boy de Jong has terminated his contract with Stellenbosch FC due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper joined the Western Cape outfit at the start of the 2019-20 campaign following his move from Belgian side Anderlecht.
The former ADO Den Haag youth academy product has featured 18 times for Stellies this campaign and has managed to keep six clean sheets, while conceding 25 goals across all competitions.
However, de Jong has since confirmed that he will return to the Netherlands to be with his family due to the 21-day lockdown in South Africa.
Speaking to the club’s official Instagram page, de Jong said, ‘There was a lockdown in Holland, so only this week there are flights going back and I had to make a choice on what I want to do – take the risk to stay in South Africa or go home with my family.
‘To be honest, we are a little bit concerned about the virus. Don’t take it easily, don’t take it for something easy, I think it’s a terrible thing.
‘So, we made the choice to go back after I made an agreement with the club to end my contract early so that I can go home… Hopefully in the future I can find something else – maybe I can come back to South Africa, but first we have to kill the virus.”
Meanwhile, the club said, We bid Boy De Jong farewell today after he has decided to return to Holland amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to protect his family. We thank you for the incredible service to the club and all that you have contributed.’
