Cassius Mailula: South African forward linked with Sundowns return after Toronto exit

South African centre-forward Cassius Mailula, currently without a club after leaving Toronto, is being linked with a return to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Ga-Molepo in Limpopo and stands at 1.73m, is a free agent and would therefore be available without a transfer fee as Sundowns assess attacking options for the new season. Mailulas current market value is listed at 500,000, having previously peaked at 1.2 million.

Mailula first broke into senior football with Sundowns in 2022 after progressing from their reserve side, and went on to become a South African champion with the club in the 2022-23 campaign. His form in domestic competition and the CAF Champions League, where he scored six goals in 10 appearances, earned him a move abroad.

In July 2023 he joined Toronto for a reported 1.5 million fee, before loan spells at Wydad AC in Morocco and Belgian side KV Kortrijk. It was in the Betway Premiership with Sundowns, however, that he produced his most prolific spell, scoring nine goals in 17 league appearances.

Mailulas contract with Toronto ended this summer, and he has been unattached since 1 July 2026. Sundowns are understood to be exploring the possibility of bringing him back to the club where he enjoyed his breakthrough, with his free-agent status simplifying any potential negotiations.