Zimbabwean football prospect Cobert Chimedza has joined Portuguese lower-division club AC Marinhense on a one-year loan.
The 20-year-old winger, who is on the books of top-flight side Gil Vicente, made the move to secure valuable game time.
Chimedza signed with Gil Vicente earlier this year, but was unable to play for their Under-23 developmental squad due to a delay in processing his international clearance papers.
This setback ultimately led to the loan deal.
“I’m happy with the move to Marinhense,” Chimedza said from his new base in Marinha Grande. “It’s a good place for me to get some game time and develop.
“My teammates have welcomed me well, and I’m looking forward to helping the club achieve its goals.”
He added that once the foreign player slots were filled at Gil Vicente, it made sense to seek an opportunity elsewhere.
“ I didn’t get a chance to show what I have to offer at Gil Vicente due to issues to do with delays international clearance until the foreign slots were used up,” he said. “So obviously I am looking forward to coming back and fight for my place in the team.”
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Chimedza, who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder, made his debut for AC Marinhense in their recent 1-0 away victory against Peniche.
At Marinhense, Chimedza joins highly rated Botswana international goalkeeper Jovan Nikolić who received a call-up to Botswana’s senior team for the first time at the Cosafa tournament in South Africa in June.
Nikolic also has Serbian roots.
Chimedza’s journey to Portugal has been notable. He made history as the first Zimbabwean to sign for a Portuguese league club since the country’s independence, following in the footsteps of the late Freddy Mkwesha, who played for Sporting de Braga in the 1960s.
Born in Harare, Chimedza moved to London at age 14. He was discovered by English club MK Dons while playing in a social soccer match and was signed to their junior academy.
He was reportedly close to a deal with Turkish side Adana Demirspor in 2023 before the transfer fell through.
