Welcome, Teto!
Livingston FC is delighted to officially announce the signing of attacker Aphelele Teto from TS Galaxy.
Simply known as “Teto”, the 20-year-old South African joins the club from South African Premier League side TS Galaxy where he has come through the ranks of the youth set-up to feature for the first-team.
Manager David Martindale and Assistant Neil Hastings first caught glimpse of Teto in December last year whilst in Turkey for our mid-season camp. Whilst we were there competing successfully for the Titanic Cup, Teto was with his former side at the same base – and caught the eye of both the manager and assistant with his ability and general manner around the camp.
Having been impressed with what they seen, an enquiry was made towards the end of last season, with an agreement reached and the talented attacker now here in West Lothian.
Despite now officially being a Livingston player, administration issues mean it’s likely that the exciting prospect will initially head out on loan for the remainder of 2023, continuing his development before returning to the club in January.
Teto joins on a 4-year-contract and has been allocated the number 17 shirt.
Men’s first-team Manager David Martindale said: “I’m writing this statement with a mixture of emotions – delighted that we have secured the signing of Aphelele Teto, but disappointed we never got the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) for the player to receive his work permit.
“We will have another opportunity in January to re-apply for the player to receive his GBE which in turn would allow us to proceed to get his work permit.
“He is a fantastic young talent who has been in training and been part of the group for a number of weeks now. He really is a special talent that is so different from any other 20-year-old I have coached or seen previously in Scotland.
“As a club, there are a few avenues we can explore such as loaning the player back to his previous club TS Galaxy FC or another top tier side in South Africa, or indeed another African country where Teto will be eligible to play.
“Teto has signed a 4-year-contract which shows you the commitment the club has made to the player and how highly we regard him.
“For now though, I’m delighted to secure his signing and although he is now officially a Livingston FC player, fans are going to have to wait a little while longer before they can see him make his competitive debut for the first-team.”
Welcome to Livingston, Teto!
