Royale Union Saint-Gilloise Sign Orlando Pirates Star
Belgian Jupiler Pro League outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise have officially announced the blockbuster signing of South African international sensation Relebohile Mofokeng on a four-year contract.
The 21-year-old playmaker joins the Brussels-based side from Orlando Pirates and will don the number 38 jersey. In an official statement, the Buccaneers confirmed that the transfer agreement was completely finalized at the end of the domestic season.
However, both clubs mutually agreed to withhold the announcement from the media to ensure the player remained entirely focused on his commitments with Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following South Africa’s heart-wrenching World Cup knockout stage exit against co-hosts Canada this past Sunday, Mofokeng bypassed Bafana Bafana’s return flight to Johannesburg on Thursday.
Instead, the attacking midfielder traveled directly to Belgium to complete his medical assessments and finalize personal terms.
“Relebohile Mofokeng is Union’s latest signing. The South African joins from Orlando Pirates and has signed a contract until mid-2030, with the club holding an option to extend it by a further year,” the club said in a statement.
“The 21-year-old talent was in action at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico last week with South Africa. He started two matches, including the knockout clash against Canada, featuring his future teammate Promise David.
“In addition to his performances for Bafana Bafana, Mofokeng has been a key player for Orlando Pirates for several years. Last season, he helped them win the league title.”
Mofokeng’s multi-million Euro transfer fee represents pure profit for Pirates, cementing their youth structures as world-class pipelines.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise is the exact same club where fellow Bafana Bafana talisman Percy Tau launched his European career in 2018 (winning the Pro League Player of the Year in the second tier), as he was on loan from Brighton in England.
Mofokeng’s departure marks the end of a meteoric rise at Mayfair since being promoted to the first team by José Riveiro during the 2022/23 campaign.
The Pirates academy graduate departs on the heels of a sensational individual season where he propelled the Buccaneers to a historic domestic treble—including their first league championship in 14 years.
During his breathtaking final season in South Africa, the dynamic star registered 10 goals and eight assists in 27 appearances, firmly establishing himself as the odds-on favorite to scoop the PSL Footballer of the Season award.
Overall, the prodigy leaves Mayfair having racked up 125 senior appearances for Pirates, netting 29 times and registering 31 assists.
