In barely two weeks’ time, the 2025 first transfer window of the year will come to a close. Usually, the January transfer window is not as intense as that of June, and its time frame is often short as it starts from January 1 and ends on January 31. Clubs do not often focus on mass signings in January, but only identify loopholes in their teams and bring in a few players to fill them. A number of January transfers are often local. Only a few clubs bring players from abroad, since it is always easier to go for players who are already in the league and don’t need time to adapt. The first round of the 2024/25 Rwanda Premier League season ended on January 11, 2025 with Rayon Sports leading the table with 36 points. As the second round takes shape, APR, Police and AS Kigali will be looking to stage a battle for the trophy. The winner in the end will be decided by a number of factors which may include the transfer activity carried out in January. So far, some clubs in the top four have been busy doing business, while some are yet to do much. In this article, Times Sport rates the top four clubs’ transfer business. Police FC So far, among the top four teams, APR and Police FC have made the most significant signings. Police FC has strengthened its squad by signing Lague Byiringiro, who joined on an 18-month deal after the club paid him a sign-on fee of 42 million francs. The law enforcers have struggled on the right flank, and Byiringiro, formerly of APR and Sandviken, is expected to fill that void. Police FC is also looking to sign a holding midfielder to support Henry Msanga, and Muhazi captain Joseph Sackey is among the players on their radar. APR FC The defending champions have so far secured two attacking players: winger Denis Omedi from Kitara FC and Hakim Kiwanuaka from SC Villa of Uganda. APR has struggled with goal-scoring this season, with Victor Mbaoma yet to score, and Mamadou Sy managing only two goals, both of which were penalties against relegation-threatened Vision FC. Coach Darko Novic has been forced to convert Arsene Tuyisenge into a center-forward. APR is rumoured to do more business in the January transfer. The team has reportedly completed talks with Burkinabe striker Djihad Ouattara from Ittihad Tanger of Morocco, though the deal has yet to be officially confirmed. AS Kigali AS Kigali has parted ways with midfielder Armel Ghyslain and striker Landry Ndikumana during the ongoing transfer window. The club is reportedly in talks with former Amavubi captain Haruna Niyonzima, who has been training with its squad. In addition, AS Kigali is said to be tracking Yves Mugunga, who plays for Al-Selmiyyah in the Saudi third division. Rayon Sports According to reliable sources, Rayon Sports will make three signings during the January transfer window. These will include a holding midfielder to replace Aruna Majaliwa. Then, the club is expected to bring one striker, and an offensive midfielder. For the defensive midfield position, Rayon’s top priority is Muhazi United captain Joseph Sackey, a player highly valued by coach Roberto Oliveira. Other players linked to the club include Aaron Lloyd Banega, a player for Nyasa Big Bullets in Malawi, and Jospin Nshimiyimana of Vital O’ FC of Burundi. In terms of strikers, Ugandan forward Fahad Bayo and Burkinabe striker Allasane Zeba from Stella Club in Côte d'Ivoire are also reportedly under consideration. Rayon Sports has yet to announce any new signings, but with 11 days remaining in the window, they are expected to make moves soon.
