Said becomes new Wolves signing

Winger Rafiki Said has become the first Wolves signing of the Cesar Peixoto era, subject to visa and international clearance.

The 26-year-old, who signed a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months, joins from Standard Liege in the Belgian top division, having scored eight times last term, and 36 over his previous four campaigns.

Said, a creative left winger who enjoys taking on defenders and is comfortable going either way, impressed during his one season in Belgium, having moved from Troyes last summer.

The Comoros international began his career with French side Brest, making his professional debut in Ligue 1 back in September 2021, and then moved to Nimes where he hit double figures in his one season and played alongside Old Gold defender Nasser Djiga.

Following a transfer to Troyes, Said made his senior Comoros debut, and he’s now scored eight goals in 21 international appearances, the most recent of which saw him don the captain’s armband against Equatorial Guinea.

Last December he played every minute of Comoros’ Africa Cup of Nations campaign, amidst a season where he impressed for Standard Liege, scoring eight and assisting five in 38 appearances during his solitary Belgian season.

Executive chairman Nathan Shi said: “We have been very clear about the areas in which we need to improve the squad. Adding more pace and attacking threat has been a priority, and strengthening our options on the wing has always been central to our plans.

“We are therefore very pleased to have completed the signing of Rafiki during the first week of pre-season. It was important for us that he could join the group immediately for the training camp in Portugal, giving him as much time as possible to settle, understand the demands of the coaching staff and integrate with his new teammates.

“Both the coaching team and our technical department have a strong belief in Rafiki’s qualities. Our preparations for the new season are progressing steadily and according to plan, and we believe he is very well suited to Cesar’s playing model, while also reflecting the strategic direction in which we want to continue evolving the squad.”

Head coach Cesar Peixoto said: “I’m happy because Rafiki’s a good player and he can help us improve the team. He’s a fast player and one versus one running is a very important characteristic for us, so he’s one player more to help us build a big family and team to fight.

“He wanted to come as soon as possible. He’s a very humble player, very hardworking, and has the hunger to be a success at Wolves, to be a success in football. He has the mentality I want in the team, and it was important that he came to us.

“In terms of physicality, he’s a strong guy, he’s quick and athletic. He has the capacity, the quality and the mentality to adapt and help the team to improve, to win games and do things in the right way.”

Technical director Matt Jackson said: “Cesar had a clear idea from an early stage of the type of players he wanted, and we explored a number of options together. Rafiki quickly emerged as one of our priority targets, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to get the deal done.

“He should work really well for us, he’s got a big smile, very enthusiastic, and is a player that I've been aware of since I went to Grasshoppers. I’ve got a really good idea of how our team's going to operate, and Rafiki certainly fits the athletic and attacking profile that we require.

“We've still got very, very good players left here, and anybody that you can integrate as quickly as possible into that, the better, hence bringing Rafiki’s transfer forward to this point, before we go to Portugal.”

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