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We want to take the club back to where it belongs
Soccer Laduma
|August 07, 2025
Waylon Renecke has continued to grow his game across Europe and remains a rising star as he looks to continue his career. The 19-year-old represented England and South Africa at youth level and is currently playing for Swedish Second Division side Orgryte IS, on loan from Danish side FC Copenhagen. The Peterborough-born defender is looking ahead to the next part of his career. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Matthew Petersen, Renecke discusses his career ambitions, his decision to represent South Africa, his national team hopes and where he hopes to go next.
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Waylon Renecke has continued to grow his game across Europe and remains a rising star as he looks to continue his career. The 19-year-old represented England and South Africa at youth level and is currently playing for Swedish Second Division side Orgryte IS, on loan from Danish side FC Copenhagen. The Peterborough-born defender is looking ahead to the next part of his career. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Matthew Petersen, Renecke discusses his career ambitions, his decision to represent South Africa, his national team hopes and where he hopes to go next.
MP: What were the reasons behind that move?
WR: I wanted to get some minutes in the senior team and just feel what it's like to be in a competitive environment. We're also doing really well this season. So, to be in an environment of a winning team and feeling the pressure each week to perform and get three points every week is good.
MP: Have there been any difficulties?
WR: There's been a slight language barrier, but they speak good English. For most things, like meetings, they speak in Swedish. But they translate it for me after the meetings, and other than that, it's been good.
MP: You mentioned two games, two wins, two clean sheets, which is fantastic for you as a defender. On a personal note, and from a team perspective, are there any things you're hoping to achieve this season?
WR: We're at the top of the table at the moment. I don't want to speak too early, but it's promotion as a team. We want to take the club back to where it belongs in the Allsvenskan (Swedish top division).
MP: And your personal goals?
WR: I want to keep improving each game and individually, I'll do the best I can, keep focusing on the areas that I want to improve on as well to give me the best chance for when I do go up to Copenhagen to compete in the first team.
This story is from the August 07, 2025 edition of Soccer Laduma.
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