Uganda Premier League champions Vipers have confirmed signing defender Ashraf Mandela.

The right back returns to the club since dramatic departure in 2018 when he, alongside Pius Wangi, joined rivals SC Villa.

His move to SC Villa was earlier blocked by Vipers, a saga that needed the intervention of players status committee.

He left left SC Villa to join URA FC in July 2019 where he has established himself as one of the best fullbacks in the country.

“Many people will ask me why I came back to this palace. You know l call it a palace because it’s number one in East Africa and moreover, we are chasing to be number one in Africa,” he told the club media.

“I call this a come back because l was once here, left and now am back here.”

“I was here as a boy and now, l come back as a man ready to compete. This is a place where my dream started and l want it to continue here.”

He may be a direct replacement for Paul Willa who is reportedly set to leave the club.

Mandela is the fifth signing at Vipers who earlier unveiled Isa Mubiru, Marvin Youngman, Congolese duo of Alfred Macumu Mudekereza and Osomba Oliveir Osomba.

The Venoms returned to training this week and are preparing for the kickoff of CAF Champions League preliminaries in August 12 while the league starts on September 30.