Ex-Royal AM And Pirates Defender Signs With Leopards

The former Royal AM defender Zukile Mkhize has officially joined the Motsepe Foundation Champions team Black Leopards ahead of the 2025/26 season, Sportswire has learnt.

The 32-year-old, born in Umzimkhulu, joined the Polokwane-based side after finalizing a one-year deal with the club.

Mkhize’s journey with Black Leopards began earlier in July when he started training with the team during their preseason preparations.

Although there were no talks about a potential deal at the time, the club initiated discussions with the defender last week, which culminated in the signing of the contract this week.

The signing comes after Mkhize’s stint with Royal AM came to an abrupt end when the team was expelled by the Premier Soccer League last season, and Mkhize found himself without a club for the second half of the season.

With his wealth of experience playing in the PSL, including a stint with Pirates, Mkhize is expected to bring valuable knowledge and expertise to Black Leopards.

During his time with Royal AM, which began in the 2021/22 season, Mkhize scored three goals in 39 appearances in the Betway Premiership, demonstrating his ability to contribute to his team’s success.