It may have been one of the most tightly kept secrets in world football in recent days but, ultimately, reigning league champions APR FC have confirmed the signing of Amavubi Stars central defender Faustin Usengimana from archrivals Rayon Sports.

Like most of the other players that have left Rayon in recent months, the stopper has left for free having run out of contract with the Blues at the end of last season.

APR secretary-general Adolph ‘Camarade’ Kalisa revealed that the 21-year old penned a two-year contract but declined to disclose more details about the deal.

"Yes I can confirm today that Faustin is our player, he signed a two-year contract but I prefer not to go into further details,” said Kalisa.

Sources say he will earn at least Rwf500,000 a month, making him one of the highest paid footballers in the country.

The influential defender was a key part of the U-17 Amavubi side that made history by qualifying for the 2011 World Cup but missed the finals in Mexico through injury.

Usengimana, who has been at Rayon Sports his entire career, is the second Blues player to join the military side in the current transfer market, following midfielder Djihad Bizimana who penned a two-year contract last month.

It is believed that Rayon were keen to keep both players but the two Rwanda internationals wanted out.

APR’s signing of Usengimana had been a matter of public speculation for a while with reliable sources indicating that the deal was sealed a couple of weeks ago but kept under wraps.

Usengimana becomes the latest senior player to leave the Nyanza-based side following in the footsteps of team captain Fuad Ndayisenga and Aphrodis ‘Kanombe’ Hategekimana (Sofapaka, Kenya), Karim Nzigiyima and Abouba Sibomana (Gor Mahia, Kenya) as well as Isaac Muganza and Robert Ndatimana (both now with Police FC).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw