Brighton & Hove Albion gain legions of new South African fans following Percy Tau recall

Anderlecht's Percy Tau and Charleroi's Guillaume Gillet fight for the ball during a soccer match between Sporting Charleroi and RSCA Anderlecht, Friday 18 December 2020 in Charleroi, on day 15 of the 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship.

The 26-year-old South Africa international joined the club in 2018 and has spent the last two-and-a-half years on loan in Belgium.

After a season with Brussels-based club Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, Tau moved to Bruges last season and helped them win the league title and played in the Champions League.

Tau linked up with Anderlecht, who are managed by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, last August and has scored four goals in 15 games this season.

Indeed, Tau’s recall to Brighton has prompted huge discussion in his native South Africa.

Here’s what Seagulls fans – and new South African supporters – had to say about the decision to recall Tau on social media:

@ryanadsett: “FINALLYYYY”

@prophilani: “Make him captain. You won't regret it.”

@DubeMatlhomola: “So we're going to unfollow that team from Belgium am sure Admin will miss us, they didn't listen when we asked them to Make Tau captain.”

@prophilani: “Left the moment I heard Tau wasn't at training. I'm loyal to Percy, not to anyone else.”

@MoLunatic_: “Give him the captain armband as well...or create a new one called Vice Captain or OCMC which stands for O Captain My Captain”

@owenbhafc___: “Percy Tau replacing the disgraced Jahanbakhsh. I love it here.”

@ryanadsett: “So Percy Tau IS available for Newport? Oh yes.”

@Ndamumakhari: “This team and this page will never be the same. Si Phakathi inside.”