Football agent Mike Makaab has revealed that Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns as well as Motherwell from the Scottish Premier League were also interest in incoming Kaizer Chiefs signing Ethan Chislett.
Chislett, 26, has penned a two-year deal with an option to extend with the Soweto giants, as first reported by FARPost.
The Durban-born talent, whose father Donovan plied his trade in the Premier Soccer League, has spent his professional career in England over the past decade but wanted to return to Mzansi, seeing Chiefs as the perfect place to further his career.
“With Chislett, don’t believe for one moment that there was only one club interested in his services,” Makaab told Simtho Dladla on Gagasi FM.
“We had a written offer from Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League, a really serious offer. Ethan Chislett’s heart was settled on coming back to South Africa and his first preference was Kaizer Chiefs.
“And as we talk now, I’m hoping that the Is are being dotted and the Ts are being crossed because I think we’re going to see a very exciting football player back in this country.
“The exciting part about it as well is that he is South African-born and his father played for Manning Rangers and I represented his father – Donovan is a totally different player.
“We had a little bit of fun with his dad and I said I don’t know where Ethan got his skills from because Donovan was strong, hard-running full-back, Ethan has a lot more skills than his dad.
“By the way, I’ve got a very good relationship with Kaizer Chiefs. I was there when Ethan arrived…”
Makaab then confirmed that both Pirates and Sundowns were also keen on the former Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon midfielder.
“I could’ve taken Ethan Chislett to Pirates, there was also interest. Honestly, there was,” he added.
“There was interest from Mamelodi Sundowns as well. So there was a lot of interest in Ethan Chislett. Truth to be told, we felt, Ethan felt that the best fit for him, his career and the place that he believes he’s got the biggest chance to be recognised – his hope is to do well enough to be recognised as interesting footballer by the national team.
“All of these things play a part.”
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