Mathew Pattison © Backpagepix

Pattison is one of several high profile and experienced players that have come on board with the Clever Boys.

The others are former Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena and former Kaizer Chiefs duo Thomas Sweswe and Tenashe Nengomasha, while of course another former National team skipper, Mbulelo Mabizela is already an established player at the club.

These five players will likely be the ones bringing stability and experience to what has always been a very youthful side.

Stepping into the transfer market in such a pronounced fashion has not always been Wits’ style, instead they have been a highly impressive and successful producer of young players.

But often these players have been tempted away from the team: the likes of Stanton Fredericks, Josta Dladla, Gert Schalkwyk, Rowan Fernandez, Benson Mhlongo and Sifiso Miyeni all once donned the Wits colours.

But there appears to be a revolution, or at least a slight shift in focus for the season ahead, something which Pattison is excited to be part of.

“Its been going well so far for me, I’m learning what the Wits philosophy and their discipline is all about,” he told PSL.co.za.

“The training is great and the facilities are excellent – the club is very professional and is amongst the best I have encountered.

“The intent and ambition they showed really impressed me, that’s why I signed, I believe this team will be successful. They have always had some fantastic young players at the team, and now with the experienced guys they have signed, I think we will do very well.

Since returning from England, where he played for Newcastle United and Norwich City, this is Pattison’s third club in the PSL.

He impressed greatly in his first couple of seasons at Sundowns, but failure to crack the first team last season, which saw a loan move to Santos.

“I thought I did quite well at Santos, but things just didn’t work out. So for me, this is the chance to start afresh, to make an impact and hopefully to be part of an exciting future at Wits.”