Uganda Premier League record holders SC Villa have confirmed the return of their former skipper Gavin Kizito on a three-year contract.

Kizito captained the team in the 2021/22 season before leaving for Egypt.

The defender now returns to Uganda after a short stint at the Egyptian side Al Ittihad Alexandria Club and has described his move back to SC Villa as significant one.

“Villa is a club that has always had a special place in my heart,” the former Villa captain revealed after rejoining the Jogoos.

“I have been overwhelmed by the welcome messages from everyone at the club. I cannot wait to play for the Jogoos when the season begins.”

“I’m looking forward to reaching our desired goals as a team, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead,” he added.

In a dramatic final day of the season last term, Villa painfully missed out on the league title after finishing third, with 52 points from 28 games, as eventual Champions Vipers and second placed KCCA both had 53, just one more.

The Jogoos only had themselves to blame as they surrendered their two-point lead by losing 0-1 to URA FC on May 27 at the Muteesa II stadium, Wankulukuku.

Villa will start this season at the same venue against new entrants Kitara FC this Friday, September 15, and Kizito is expected to play a vital role.

The defender also featured in both of Uganda Cranes’ AFCON 2023 Qualification games against Algeria and Niger.

He rose through the ranks from the U-17, U-20, and U-23 setups. He was a captain for the Uganda U-20 team and won silver at the 2021 U-20 AFCON championships hosted in Mauritania.

In 2019, Gavin guided St. Mary’s Kitende to the Copa Coca-Cola and FEASSSA triumphs.