Auckland City striker Emiliano Tade has signed for AmaZulu in the South African Premier Soccer League.

The 30-year-old Argentine can't wait to start his new adventure in Durban in July.

Tade, in his second stint with Auckland City after a brief spell at Club Atletico de Mitre in his homeland two years ago, broke a raft of goalscoring records during his career with the Navy Blues but now feels the time is right to move on.

"The move to South Africa is something that has been in the background for the past few seasons," he says.

"I've been in contact with an agent who has been very patient and understood me since the beginning of this process. This move will be important for me as a footballer - it's a professional contract and it means a lot to me," he adds.

"Every player dreams of becoming a professional and I'm very happy."

AmaZulu finished ninth in the South African top flight and defeated top-five outfit Cape Town 1-0 in their final hit out of the season.

Based at the Princess Magogo Stadium, the Cavin Johnson-coached team can attract up to 12,000 to matches.

The move to South Africa envokes memories of Grant Young and the late Keryn Jordan, which Tade says is fitting.

"I never saw Grant or Keryn play or train day-in, day-out but there is a sense of destiny for both that they came from South Africa to Auckland City," he says. 

"I've seen videos of their goals and games they played in and they were great players at the club but not only do you think of Keryn or Grant but also Ryan De Vries.

"I enjoyed a great relationship with Ryan and so many memorable moments so he's one of the players I have one of the deepest connections with in my entire football career." 

Tade's exploits in the colours of the Navy Blues see him finish his career with the club with 162 matches and 107 goals.

He is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, some 41 goals ahead of the nearest challenge in Grant Young. Tade won an incredible 23 honours since joining the club in 2011 and in his early spell with the club was often second or third choice for coach Ramon Tribulietx. He steadily won his way to the front of queue and in the last four years has been instrumental in Auckland City's drive for titles. This strong sense of achievement made Tade wonder if it was time to choose a new challenge.

"The move was concluded only very recently. AmaZulu are very excited and I believe I can contribute something to their team in a different way than what they were used to in the past," he says. 

"The mixture of my style and AmaZulu's could be interesting for everyone concerned and we're all very excited about the possibilities." 

But Tade has been here once before.

After the FIFA Club World Cup heroics in Morocco in 2014, Tade took up the chance to play professional football in Argentina but that proved a short stint and he eventually found his way back to Kiwitea Street.

The question is would he rule out coming back to Auckland City for a third time?

"100 percent - I can see myself finishing my career with Auckland City on day," he says. 

"Auckland City taught me everything about how to be as professional as I can be, both on and off the field, and it's where my best memories in football live. I want to thank everyone connected to the club for everything they've done for me. I wish only the best for the chairman, coaching staff, my team-mates and the supporters."

Story courtesy of Auckland City FC