Cape Town - Cape Town City have made a surprise signing by snapping up 19-year-old centre-back Keith Groeneveld from Belgian side Standard Liege, the club announced on Tuesday.

"Cape Town City is delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old Belgian-South African youth international Keith Groeneveld from Standard Liège," the club said. "The towering defender has signed a 5-year-deal with the club."

Groeneveld, who was born in Kimberley, has spent many years in Belgium where he holds dual citizenship and has been capped by the Belgian Under-18 side.

The towering 1.90m defender is a product of the Standard Liege youth academy and was able to sign for Benni McCarthy's side outside the transfer window as he didn't hold a professional status at the club - turning out for the reserve side.

The youngster will now be hoping to make his mark in the country of his birth and has been named in Thabo Senong's provisional squad for the Under-20 World Cup later this year.

?? | Cape Town City is delighted to announce the signing of 19y Belgian-South African youth international Keith Groeneveld from Standard Liège. The towering defender signs a 5 year deal with the club ??#iamCityFC ?? #KeithGroeneveld ???????? pic.twitter.com/8unqepSXyo

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) April 9, 2019

The next generation is here, welcome Keith Groeneveld ??#iamCityFC ??#KeithGroeneveld ???????? pic.twitter.com/xdNbdxTa6V

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) April 9, 2019