Relebohile Mofokeng, 21, has left Orlando Pirates for Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise on a four-year deal, after his World Cup football for Bafana Bafana drew European interest.
RELEBOHILE Mofokeng has signed for Union Saint-Gilloise, the reigning Belgian champions, on a four-year contract that runs until 2030, with the club holding an option to extend it by a further year. Union reportedly paid €3 million (about R56 million, or US$3.4 million) for the 21-year-old.
Mofokeng had already made his name at Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League. It was his football at the FIFA World Cup that drew European clubs to him.
| The deal | Detail |
| Player | Relebohile Mofokeng, 21 |
| From | Orlando Pirates (South Africa) |
| To | Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium) |
| Reported fee | €3 million (about R56 million / US$3.4 million) |
| Contract | Four years, to 2030, with an option for one more |
He played for Bafana Bafana at the tournament as an attacking player, with close control, creativity and the ability to open up packed defences. Union Saint-Gilloise decided he had the quality for their squad.
Against strong opposition he played with composure. South Africa did not go far in the tournament, but the team earned praise for its displays, and Mofokeng was among its better performers.
Union Saint-Gilloise, based in Brussels, has a record of signing young players and giving them a platform. As Belgian champions, the club offers Mofokeng a chance to compete for domestic titles and, potentially, in European competition.
The transfer is the next step for a player who had become one of Orlando Pirates’ most influential. He moves to one of Europe’s respected development leagues.
Mofokeng joins Union Saint-Gilloise at the start of the season, where expectations will be high.
