Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has completed his major transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Chicago Fire, the club announced on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old defender who has captained Pirates this season alongside Nkosinathi Sibisi has earned a lucrative January transfer window move to the United States of America, said to be worth $3 million after a meteoric rise since joining Langalibalele FC in KwaZulu-Natal.
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“Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has acquired defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates of South Africa’s Betway Premiership,” the MLS side stated.
“Mbokazi will occupy a U-22 initiative slot and an international roster position, and his contract will run through 2029, with a Club option for the 2029/30 season. Per Club and MLS Policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.”
After starring in the DStv Diski Challenge with several commanding performances, Mbokazi earned a first team breakthrough with former head coach Jose Rivieiro and has not looked back since, as he cemented his place in the starting line-up for club and country.
Having won the U20 Cosafa Cup, which qualified South Africa to the Africa Cup of Nations, which they won in Egypt – Mbokazi took no further part at that age group level, as he was now recognised as a senior national team player by head coach Hugo Broos.
And with 37 appearances for Pirates and five caps for Bafana, Fire have acted swiftly to secure one of the brightest talents in African football and a lucrative long-term contract in what is a record sale for the Buccaneers.
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