PREMIER Soccer League side Yadah are believed to have splashed over US$50 000 to complete the signing of forward Khama Billiat in a deal which saw the Miracle Boys elbowing out rivals Dynamos and several other potential suitors in the race to secure the former Warriors star.
After weeks of protracted negotiations hastened by strong interest from DeMbare, Manica Diamonds, Simba Bhora, Caps United and Ngezi Platinum Stars, it was Yadah who completed the blockbuster signing for the winger on a one-year contract.
The deal, according to sources, will see the PHD Ministries-owned club pay an eye-popping US$50 000 signing on fees and a monthly salary of about US$5 000.
Billiat arrived in the country on Tuesday night and was welcomed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Yadah officials led by the club’s chief executive officer Admire Mango and chairperson Everson Chatambudza, before being whisked away in a convoy of top-of-the-range vehicles to a local hotel, much to the chagrin of a group Dynamos supporters who had thronged the airport to receive the former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns player.
The Dynamos supporters were convinced that Billiat would sign for their team after the club last week hinted that they had agreed to a deal with the player.
Sources said the player had initially agreed to join Dynamos before other clubs, including Yadah, came knocking.
As soon as the negotiations turned into a bidding war, there was going to be only one winner, with Yadah gazumping rivals including Manica Diamonds who had reportedly prepared a package of US$20 000 signing on fees and a US$4 000 monthly salary, thrice what Dynamos was prepared to pay.
Images of Billiat with Yadah benefactor Scott Sakupwanya and close associate Mike Chimombe at a local hotel emerged yesterday as it became clear that the midfielder had decided to join the Miracle Boys.
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A Yadah official who refused to be named confirmed they had secured Billiat on a one-year contract, with a “mega unveiling” planned for tomorrow.
The club initially wanted to unveil their superstar today, but did not want their event to clash with the Premier Soccer League’s sponsorship unveiling function scheduled for this afternoon.
Mango and Chatambudza did not answer their mobile phones yesterday when contacted for comment.
The source also disputed reports that Yadah will loan Billiat to Dynamos this season.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after refusing to renew his contract with Kaizer Chiefs at the end of June last year.
Talks over a new deal collapsed after the South Africa league giants reportedly offered him a new contract at half of what he was earning.
The former Warriors star was the highest earner in the Super Diski, taking home over R850 000 a month during his five-year stay at Naturena.
Yadah open their new premier league campaign with a tough trip away to Hwange next week, but Billiat is unlikely to debut at the match because he has been inactive for the last seven months.
