5 of the greatest Premier League imports from South Africa

#4 Steven Pienaar

Steven Pienaar

With a parent club in South Africa, Steven Pienaar arrived at Ajax Amsterdam after impressing at Ajax Cape Town – a place where he was touted for big things after attending the School of Excellence.

Five years in Amsterdam resulted in a move to German giants, Borussia Dortmund in 2006, as they looked to replace the outgoing Tomas Rosicky, who joined Arsenal. Coming through the Ajax footballing system, footballers are always going to be technically gifted – of which Pienaar most certainly was.

After just one season in Germany, the South African was loaned to Everton, before he made permanent move to the Premier League – where he most certainly impressed. Four years at Goodison Park resulted in a move to Tottenham Hotspur and make no mistake about it, what Pienaar didn’t have in height, he made up for in technical ability.

All in all, Pienaar made 214 appearnances in the Premier League, plying his trade at Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, but spending much of his career in Europe makes him a certainty that he’s one of Africa’s greatest imports.