At just 20 years old, Carlo Scott became the first R1-million signing in the Premier Soccer League when he switched from Ajax Cape Town to Gauteng giants Mamelodi Sundowns in January 2001. With extraordinary amounts of cash thrown about in transfers now the norm, Scott reflects what it was like for him to earn a big-money move and the pressures thereof.
The Gauteng lights do indeed shine bright, even back in 2001 when young attacking talent Carlo Scott rewrote the history books by becoming the first-ever seven-digit signing in the Premier Soccer League.
An up-and-coming youngster who stayed put in the Mother City following the amalgamation of Cape Town Spurs into Ajax Cape Town two years prior, his eight goals in 23 starts helped power the new topflight team to a fourth-place finish in their maiden PSL season.
The following campaign, Scott’s stock escalated as his two goals made him the hero of the 2000 Rothman’s Cup final as Ajax humiliated Orlando Pirates 4-1 in a replay in Johannesburg to take the last edition of the treasured trophy.
A month later, however, the Cape Town-bred talent made a bee-line north, leaving the accustomed picturesque ocean and mountain behind as The Brazilians forked out the cash, beating rivals Kaizer Chiefs for the signature of one of South Africa’s most promising stars.
“I was underprivileged, coming from Mitchell’s Plain,” Scott tells KICK OFF as he reflects on his move. “My parents were working, and my son had just been born, so you obviously have thoughts of a better life, not only for yourself, but for them.”
Joining the star-studded Sundowns set-up with a R1-million price-tag after being a star in Cape Town was no easy task, and he felt the pressure straight away.
“There was a lot expected of any big signing, but I took it as an opportunity. I looked at my family situation and where I was going with Ajax – unfortunately they could not hold on to me for what the salary package was, and were willing to accept the deal,”he says. “I was a bit sceptical and nervous; Sundowns were – and are – a big team, and were the league champs for the previous three seasons. What I expected going up there was a lot.
This story is from the March 2017 edition of Kickoff.
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This story is from the March 2017 edition of Kickoff.
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