Wits announced the news on Twitter, saying: 'The Clever Boys are pleased to welcome Steven Pienaar to the family @therealstevenpi #NewSigning #TransferNews. '

The veteran playmaker joins the PSL and MTN8 champions as a free agent following his departure from Sunderland in the off-season.

Pienaar, who started his career at Ajax Cape Town before moving abroad to Ajax Amsterdam in 2001, was also thought to have attracted the interest of Cape Town City, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

The 35-year-old has spent the last 16 years of his career in Europe – a decade of which has been in England where he has also done duty for Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Clever Boys also recently recruited fellow midfielder Daylon Claasen ahead of their title defences in 2017/18.