Former Orlando Pirates versatile player Thabo Matlaba has signed with Golden Arrows.

Sportswire has learned that Matlaba joins Arrows from Royal AM, along with Philani Sithole.

The players were within their rights to join the club due to not having been paid for over three months. FIFA regulations stipulate that if a player goes without payment for such a duration, they are legally entitled to immediately terminate their contract and join a team of their choosing.

Given this situation with Matlaba and Sithole, it remains unclear how they obtained their clearances from either the Premier Soccer League (PSL) or the South African Football Association (SAFA). This is because Royal AM’s PSL membership was terminated by the league after the club failed to fulfill its obligations to play matches in the second half of the season.

The PSL will now proceed with 15 teams, and all clubs will play 28 matches instead of the usual 30.

Royal AM found themselves in this predicament after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) reportedly claimed the club due to alleged outstanding taxes of R40 million owed by Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize.

As a result of MaMkhize’s assets and accounts being frozen, the club’s last match was on 29 December, when they lost 3-1 to TS Galaxy.

Matlaba, now 37, had been with Royal AM for nearly four seasons, making 86 appearances, scoring six goals, and providing five assists.

In his extensive career, which also includes stints with Free State Stars, Moroka Swallows, and Black Leopards, Matlaba has played in 390 matches across all competitions, scoring 24 goals and registering 27 assists.

This is a commendable record for a player who primarily operates as a left-back but is also capable of playing in more advanced positions.

Having joined Orlando Pirates in the second half of the 2011/12 season, he won the league title that season and the Nedbank Cup in the 2013/14 season before departing in 2019.

Meanwhile, Philani Sithole is still in the early stages of his career, having made eight appearances for Royal AM.

Matlaba and Sithole join Shadrack Kobedi, Sabelo Sithole, and Ayabule Maxwele as new signings for Golden Arrows.

Other players who have left Royal AM due to the SARS issue include defender Sbangani Zulu and attacking midfielder Mfundo Thikazi, who have both joined Richards Bay. Khulekani Shezi has moved to Sekhukhune United.

Sportswire has also been informed that Ayanda Jiyane may be the next player to join Golden Arrows from Royal AM.