Lorch Leaves Wydad For Big-Money Move To Libya
South African international Thembinkosi Lorch has left Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in a big-money move to Libyan side Al Ittihad.
Lorch, who joined Wydad on a permanent deal from Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of the season, is set for a lucrative spell in Libya, where he is reportedly earning a salary of over R1 million per month.
The former PSL Footballer of the Season is understood to have signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Ittihad.
Nicknamed “Nyoso,” Lorch made headlines during his time at Wydad by starring in the FIFA Club World Cup, where he scored against Manchester City.
He departs the Moroccan outfit after featuring in 11 matches across all competitions this season, scoring five goals and registering four assists.
His strong performances sparked calls for his inclusion in South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations squad in Morocco, especially in the absence of injured Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane. However, national team coach Hugo Broos opted against selecting him.
Overall, during his time at Wydad — including an initial loan spell from Sundowns that began in January last year — Lorch made 28 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
Across his career, which has included stints at Orlando Pirates, Maluti FET College, Chippa United and Cape Town All Stars, Lorch has scored 52 goals and supplied 41 assists in 249 matches.
He was crowned PSL Footballer of the Season in the 2018/19 campaign.
Lorch joins an Al Ittihad side that currently sits top of Group 2 in the Libyan Premier League, having won all five of their league matches to collect a maximum 15 points.
At the Libyan club, he will reunite with familiar face Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, who left Kaizer Chiefs in the second half of last season.
