Young Africans bound Gift Fred bids emotional farewell to Villa faithful

Days after sealing his move to African heavyweights Young Africans SC, defender Gift Fred has tended in a short but emotional farewell to the SC Villa faithful.

The Uganda Cranes centre-back penned a three-year employment contract with the CAF Confederation Cup finalists.

"A lovely family you have been," Gift started in his emotional goodbye to the club fraternity.

"The fun, competition, comebacks, cooperation and many others, I'm sure very grateful, family," he added.

The versatile defender has been a free agent after the expiry of his contract at Villa at the end of the preceding campaign.

He captained the club last season in their pursuit of the Uganda Premier League title before losing it to Vipers SC with a one-point difference.

Gift joined Villa in 2020 from regional league side Booma FC, signing a three-year contract.

He was a part of the Uganda Cranes CHAN team and played for Uganda in the 2-1 defeat to Algeria in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He also represented Gomba in the prestigious Buganda Masaza Cup tournament, where he played a crucial role in their 2020 triumph.