Mamelodi Sundowns re-sign Cassius Mailula after Toronto FC spell

Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed the return of Cassius Mailula, with the 25-year-old rejoining the South African club on Saturday ahead of their MTN8 fixture against Polokwane City.

The announcement brings Mailula back to the club where he made his breakthrough, after an unsuccessful spell with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC and loan periods at Wydad Athletic Club and KV Kortrijk.

Mailula moved from Sundowns to Toronto FC in 2023 in a reported $1.6m transfer. However, he was unable to establish himself as a regular at the Canadian club.

Over the past two seasons, Toronto FC sent him out on loan to Wydad Athletic Club and Belgian side KV Kortrijk. His contract with Toronto FC, which had been due to expire in December, was mutually terminated.

Sundowns confirmed the homecoming on Saturday, only a few hours before their MTN8 match against Polokwane City.

“A familiar face returns to where it all began. Cassius Mailula is back in yellow, ready for a new chapter with The Brazilians,” the club stated.

Mailula has made 48 appearances for Toronto FC, Wydad Athletic Club and KV Kortrijk since leaving Sundowns. Across those matches, he has scored eight goals and provided eight assists.

His return marks the latest stage of a career that began with a rapid rise at Sundowns. During the 2022/23 season, Mailula emerged as one of the club’s most prominent young players, scoring 15 goals in 31 appearances.

That campaign earned him the move to Toronto FC in 2023, but his time in Major League Soccer did not develop as expected. The subsequent loans to Wydad Athletic Club and KV Kortrijk also came before the decision to end his Toronto FC contract by mutual agreement.

Sundowns, known as Masandawana and The Brazilians, have now brought Mailula back to the club where his senior career took shape. The 25-year-old returns with experience from spells in Major League Soccer, Morocco and Belgium, as well as the opportunity to begin a new chapter in familiar surroundings.

His signing was announced on a matchday, with Sundowns preparing to face Polokwane City in the MTN8. The club’s statement made clear that Mailula is returning to wear the yellow shirt once again, having first made his name at Sundowns in the 2022/23 season.