Kermit Erasmus had been offered to several DStv Premiership clubs and when it looked like he would stay put at Mamelodi Sundowns, he made a sensational return to Orlando Pirates.
The 32-year-old didn’t seem to have much of a future with Sundowns, as he hasn’t played a single match for the club in 2022/23 this season.
To make matters worse, his jersey number No.11 which he wore last season, was handed to new Chilean signing Marcelo Allende, who has impressed early on at the Tshwane giants.
This publication has learnt, Erasmus has not been training with the first team for the past week. And on Sunday he informed the technical staff he would not be playing against Township Rollers in the friendly as he was not brought to the club to play friendlies.
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The likes of Cape Town City were said to have been one of several clubs offered to sign him but with a package believed to be in the region of R7 million per annum at Masandawana, making it difficult for a club outside of Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates to match his package, unless he lowers his salary demands.
One option was to terminate the player’s contract, leaving him free to join a club of his choice and that seems have been the solution for all involved.
Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena, when asked about Erasmus’ future recently after his number was taken away from him, said the club was going to make an announcement. However, time was running out with the domestic transfer window closing at midnight on Thursday.
That announcement, however, eventually came when not many expected it anymore on Friday morning, when the Buccaneers confirmed Erasmus’ return.
“The experienced forward joins the Buccaneers having recently been cleared by his former employer and becomes the sixth senior signing of the season,” said Pirates statement, pointing towards a release by Downs before his move.
The 32-year-old, who joined Sundowns from Cape Town City ahead of the 2020/21 season, has won four trophies with the Tshwane giants in two seasons.
He now returns to Orlando Stadium where he already played between 2013 and 2016, scoring 21 goals and setting up another 14 in 80 appearances.
