KickOff.com has learnt that Orlando Pirates have joined the race to sign Namibian international Deon Hotto.

The Bidvest Wits midfielder on the wanted-list of Mamelodi Sundowns while an unnamed team in Qatar have also made enquiries about his availability.

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"Both Pirates and Sundowns are running neck-and-neck for the services of Dean Hotto," a source close to the player tells KickOff.com.

"There is also a team in Qatar that sent a representative to talk to his agent."

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Hotto declined to comment about the interest from Pirates and Sundowns and referred us to his agent Machini Motloung.

Motloung downplayed the rumours.

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"We haven't received a call from anyone interested in our client Deon Hotto," says the Bloemfontein-based lawyer.

"He is still contracted to Bidvest Wits and anyone interested in his services knows the protocol."

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