Mamelodi Sundowns agree pre-contract deal for Ecuador midfielder Jhegson Mendez

Mamelodi Sundowns have agreed a pre-contract with Ecuador international midfielder Jhegson Mendez, who will join the club in January.

The 29-year-old is expected to arrive at Chloorkop when the transfer window reopens, completing a move that appeared unlikely only a few weeks ago.

Sundowns had previously ended their pursuit of Mendez after Independiente del Valle rejected their approach, as reported exclusively by iDiski Times in September. The South African club have since reached an agreement directly with the player.

Mendez has won 38 caps for the Ecuador senior national team and is regarded as one of South America’s leading defensive midfielders. He has also played in the United States for Orlando City and LAFC, in Brazil for Sao Paulo and in Spain for Elche.

The midfielder has represented Ecuador at a World Cup.

Experienced reinforcement for Sundowns

Mendez was first identified as a Sundowns target in iDiski Times’ Rumour Mill, which also clarified that an earlier report had incorrectly linked the club with his Independiente del Valle team-mate Jordy Alcivar.

The player Sundowns were pursuing was Mendez, rather than Alcivar, and the club have now secured his arrival on a free transfer through the pre-contract agreement.

His signing strengthens the midfield options available to Sundowns and adds experience to an area of the squad that suffered a significant loss following the tragic passing of Jayden Adams.

The move comes after Sundowns recently signed Thabo Cele as a free agent. The club also face uncertainty over Marcelo Allende’s long-term future, with the player entering the final year of his contract.

Mendez’s arrival will therefore provide additional depth and quality in midfield when he joins the Brazilians in January.