Pirates Confirm Mofokeng Transfer To Union SG
Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for the blockbuster transfer of star attacker Relebohile Mofokeng.
The completion of the historic move is now strictly subject to the 21-year-old playmaker passing his medical examination and finalizing personal terms.
As the Bafana Bafana squad returns to South Africa from the FIFA World Cup on Thursday morning, Mofokeng will be notably absent.
The player has already flown directly to Belgium to finalize the switch after an intense international campaign in North America.
Mofokeng featured in three of Bafana Bafana’s four World Cup matches, putting in a standout performance during the memorable group-stage victory over South Korea before being substituted at halftime in Sunday’s heartbreaking 1-0 Round of 32 loss to co-hosts Canada.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the Buccaneers broke their silence on the European transfer pipeline:
“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that it has reached an agreement with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for the transfer of Relebohile Mofokeng,” the club stated. “While the two clubs have concluded negotiations over the transfer fee and structure of the deal, Orlando Pirates can confirm that the move remains subject to Mofokeng passing a medical examination and finalizing personal terms with the Belgian Pro League side.
“The Club can also reveal that an agreement in principle between Orlando Pirates and Union Saint-Gilloise was in fact reached before the start of the FIFA World Cup. Both parties made the joint decision to hold off on any public announcement until after the tournament, wanting Mofokeng to focus fully on the World Cup with Bafana Bafana without the distraction of transfer talk, and to allow the national team’s historic run to take center stage. No further comment will be made at this time until the process between the player and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has been fully concluded.”
Mofokeng’s imminent departure follows a sensational domestic campaign in which he propelled the Buccaneers to a historic treble, including their first Betway Premiership title in 14 years.
In his 27 appearances last season, the dynamic playmaker scored 10 goals and provided eight assists, firmly establishing himself as the odds-on favorite to scoop the PSL Footballer of the Season award.
Overall, the academy graduate leaves Mayfair having racked up 125 senior appearances for Pirates, netting 29 times and registering 31 assists.
