JUST IN: Orlando Pirates Set to Lose five Key Players with Departures Imminent.

(VIDEO) Orlando Pirates welcome back prodigal son and fan fav!

Orlando Pirates were captured returning to their Rand Stadium training base on Friday, with a young fan favourite warmly welcomed back!

Orlando Pirates players returned to their Rand Stadium training base this week, as the first part of their preseason begins!

Pirates are set to jet out to Spain again, for the main part of their preseason, with their departure set for the 8th of July.

Orlando Pirates confirm midfielder has become the second player to exit the club this week following in the footsteps of Cameroonian striker Souaibou Marou | Goal.com South Africa

During the last preseason in Spain, Pirates played against three teams from three different leagues and countries. Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, local Las Palmas of LaLiga as well as Independiente del Valle. The Buccaneers started in very encouraging fashion, with a victory against the Israelites. They then followed that up with a 3-1 win over Independiente del Valle. Their last game being a 0-0 draw.

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Now after enjoying that experience, Pirates look to have stepped it up a notch ahead of the next season. This comes after an announcement from seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla, that they will be hosting the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup winners. According to the LaLiga side, this game will take place on the 15th of July.

Pirates have now since confirmed the fixture against Sevilla themselves. Furthermore, they have nailed down fixtures against Plymouth Argyle of England and Al Sadd of Qatar. Now as those encounters get ever so closer, their first team squad were captured returning for what one would assume is their testing period. They will then be expected to hit the training pit properly next week, before their main sessions and warm-up games in Spain.

RADIOPANE SPOTTED BACK AT THE CLUB

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In the video it shows quite a few familiar faces returning to Pirates. One noticeable one was that of academy product Boitumelo Radiopane. The youngster returns from two injury ravaged loan spells with Cape Town Spurs. With many Buccaneers calling for the youngster to be given a chance, seeing him return could be pleasing.

If Radiopane is to get his chance, he will have to battle it out with the likes of Tshegofatso Mabasa, Evidence Makgopa and Zakhele Lepasa. Pirates are also rumoured to be interested in signing another striker so there could be even more competition.