Thato Sibiya joins LOSC Lille from Mamelodi Sundowns on loan

Thato Sibiya has completed his move from Mamelodi Sundowns to Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille, who have signed the 20-year-old South African defender on loan for the 2026/27 season with an option to make the transfer permanent.

Sibiya will initially join Lille’s reserve team, known as the Pro 2 group, as he begins life in France. The club intend to assess his progress with a view to him earning a place in the senior set-up.

LOSC Lille confirmed the deal on Wednesday, describing Sibiya as a young and promising defender. The move brings an end to his time with Mamelodi Sundowns for the immediate future, after he had been included in the club’s pre-season squad for their training camp in Austria.

“LOSC today announces the signing of the young and promising South African defender, Thato Sibiya (20) from Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa). The latter is loaned to the Club for one season (with purchase option) and will initially join the Pro 2 group,” the French club stated.

Sibiya was part of the South Africa squad that won the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. He subsequently represented his country at the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile, further raising his profile before making the move to European football.

The defender said he was thankful for the opportunity to join LOSC Lille and was eager to begin working with his new club.

“I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to join LOSC. I am proud and happy to sign in this great club, and very excited and eager to start working,” he told his new club.

Sibiya also outlined the qualities he believes he can bring to Lille, while acknowledging that adapting to a new country and style of football would be an important part of his development.

“I am a dynamic and fast defender. I care about progressing here and integrating as soon as possible, starting by adapting to French life and its football.

Before travelling to France, Sibiya sought advice from Lebo Mothiba, the former Lille striker and fellow South African. Mothiba previously played for Mamelodi Sundowns and was a team-mate of Sibiya at the club.

Sibiya said Mothiba urged him to accept the chance to move to France and spoke warmly about his former club and the city.

“Before coming, I spoke with Lebo Mothiba, who was my teammate at the Mamelodi Sundowns. When I told him that I had the opportunity to come here, he told me not to hesitate and go for it.

“He was very happy for me and spoke to me very positively about the club and the city.”

The loan agreement gives LOSC Lille the option to sign Sibiya permanently at the end of the 2026/27 campaign. For now, his immediate focus will be on settling into the Pro 2 group and adapting to French football before seeking an opportunity with the senior side.