Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thato Sibiya set for Lille move

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thato Sibiya is reportedly on the verge of leaving the club to join French Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille.

The highly rated left-footed defender is understood to have been the subject of negotiations between the two clubs, with an agreement now reportedly reached to pave the way for his move to France.

Sibiya has emerged as one of the promising young defenders within the Sundowns setup and has attracted interest from clubs outside South Africa. His ability to play from the left side and his composure in possession are believed to have made him an attractive option for Lille.

The South African youth international had already been linked with a move away from Sundowns, with clubs from the Middle East also understood to have made enquiries about his availability.

Those developments intensified following his promotion to the senior squad earlier this year. However, despite making the step up, Sibiya is yet to make the match-day squad for Sundowns this season.

A move to Europe would therefore represent a significant opportunity for the youngster to continue his development and gain experience in a highly competitive environment.

It is understood that Sibiya could travel to France this week to complete the formalities of the transfer, including his medical, before officially becoming a Lille player.

The financial details of the proposed deal have not been disclosed at this stage.

For Sundowns, the departure would mark another opportunity for a young player from their development system to pursue a career in Europe, while Lille would be adding a promising South African defender to their ranks.

With an agreement reportedly already in place, Sibiya’s move to Lille now appears increasingly close, with the final formalities expected to determine when the transfer is officially completed.