Cole Alexander became the latest addition to the Kaizer Chiefs squad on Tuesday as the former Ajax Cape Town, SuperSport United, Polokwane City and Wits midfielder put pen to paper on a contract with Chiefs, bringing bags of experience with him to Naturena.

An overjoyed Cole was beaming at his signing ceremony and could not contain his joy as he said: “it’s a huge opportunity for me, it’s a very big deal for me and my family. At my age being 32, dreams can still come true. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”

According to the midfielder, who has featured in over 200 games in the DStv Premiership, joining the Club he supported as a boy has enabled him to achieve a life-long ambition.

“Chiefs was a team I supported growing up. I was always a fan of my local club, Hellenic. Kaizer Chiefs was my other club, so to be at Kaizer Chiefs at this stage of my career I can’t say enough how happy I am to be at a prestigious club like Chiefs,” says Alexander.

And he has also a message for the doubters who believe he is on the wrong side of 30.

“I try not to read too much into the media, but I still see there’s a lot out there. I can promise every Chiefs player and supporter that I am a player who gives my best and nothing less. That’s all you can do,” adds Alexander.

He joins Chiefs from Indian club Odisha and is looking forward to linking up with his former Odisha coach Stuart Baxter at Chiefs.

“I think what helps this team the most is the leadership of coach Stuart Baxter. As every player who has worked with him before will know, this guy is a leader and a tactician. If we as a team collectively follow his instruction and philosophy and we are united, we can do that,” continues Alexander.

“His (Baxter’s) results speak for themselves from the time he was last here at Chiefs. I am here for that – to play according to instructions. I am also hoping to bring some leadership into the team and doggedness and aggression, and I am also hoping to learn.”

He began his career in the youth system of Cape Town side Hellenic and Alexander believes his ability to adapt and grasp new situations will help him at Chiefs.

“The learner always wins. There are quality talented players around me, so I am here to learn. I just spoke to one of my family members and told them that there is everything here and you can’t have excuses being at a team like Chiefs. They look after you well. There’s everything that you need to succeed and do well,” he concludes.

The defensive midfielder began his career as a professional footballer almost 13 years ago when he made his debut as a 19-year-old for Ajax Cape Town in a league game against Kaizer Chiefs in a 2-0 loss, on 27 September 2008.

Now in the black and gold colours, he will be looking to spur Chiefs on to many more victories in the club’s famous colours as he looks to write another successful chapter at Naturena in his well-traveled career.