Rayon Sports have denied rumors linking striker Jimmy Gatete with a return to the club after 11 years with rivals APR FC.

Gatete is among 17 players released from the books of the national and regional champions last week and has been heavily linked with a return to his former stamping ground.

But such a move or for any of the players released by APR is not what Rayon are interested in, club legal advisor Claver Pierre Zitony has said.

He said, "Those are just baseless rumors because we not interested neither in Gatete nor any other players from APR.”

"We already have more than enough old players and the last thing we can be interested in, is adding more.

"Rayon is looking at recruiting players below the age of 25 and unfortunately, most, if not all, players released by APR are above that age,” Zitony added. Asked about the identity of the club’s potential targets for next season, he said, "That remains an internal issue. When the right times comes to announce them, you (Times Sport) shall be the first to know.”

He stressed that despite not winning the league since three seasons, Rayon remains a club with values and so they are not as desperate to jump on their rivals’ rejects.

"We are trying to put together a strong team for the future and to achieve that; we cannot afford to rely on ‘expired’ players more-over rejects by our main rivals.

"We’ve have players with the U-18 team in Germany and we’re talking to a number of other young players.”

As rivals, APR and Atraco have made total overhauls of their squads from last season, Rayon have been less active but Zitony has called on their fans to be patient as they (club management) assembles a formidable squad to challenge for trophies next season.

Thierry Hitimana is head coach
 The club official also confirmed that Thierry Hitimana will be the club’s head coach for next season.

The pint-sized former club midfielder was assistant to, first Bernard Ndiki Kitara then Antoinne Rutsindura last season.

"Thierry Hitimana is our head coach for next season. The club has full confidence in his ability to lead to us to success and we hope he’ll deliver the goods next season,” Zitony acknowledged.

Last season, Rayon hired and sacked coaches with ease something that did very little or nothing to help their cause.
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