TS Galaxy chose Chicago Fire pathway over bigger Sundowns offer for Dithejane

TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi says Mamelodi Sundowns offered more money than Chicago Fire for Puso Dithejane, but the South African club decided the Major League Soccer move offered the winger better long-term prospects.

Sundowns had made a proposal for the 22-year-old, while Chicago Fire’s interest came through Gregg Berhalter, who serves as the club’s director of football and head coach.

“Mamelodi Sundowns also had tabled an offer on him, Chicago Fire emerged through their sporting director and head coach, Gregg Berhalter,” Sukazi said on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube.

He added that Berhalter and Flemming Berg, Sundowns’ sporting director, were both pursuing the player.

“Indeed, Sundowns’ offer, I would say at the time when we started the talks, was quite higher,” Sukazi said. “But then, you know, we looked at everything. The prospects of him getting a breakthrough into bigger Europe, if we would still do the same things that he was doing here. And then we went in favour of Chicago Fire.”

The decision meant TS Galaxy prioritised a development route that Sukazi believes can eventually help Dithejane reach elite European football, rather than accepting the more lucrative immediate offer from Sundowns.

Dithejane’s progress from TS Galaxy

Chicago Fire confirmed Dithejane’s signing in January 2026. His contract runs until the end of the 2029/30 season and includes a club option for 2030/31.

The winger occupies a U-22 Initiative place and an international roster slot at the MLS club.

He left TS Galaxy after two strong seasons with the Rockets, making 63 appearances in all competitions and contributing seven goals and 13 assists. Born in Christiana, Dithejane was also named Betway Premiership Player of the Month in August, November and December 2025.

Sundowns had reportedly been in advanced negotiations for the player in January 2026. However, on 13 January, Sukazi confirmed that the league champions’ offer had been rejected because it “didn’t meet our valuation for the player”.

Kaizer Chiefs, where Dithejane had previously been part of the academy system, were also linked with him but did not make a formal bid.

International recognition

Dithejane’s move has since been followed by regular first-team football in the United States. The 1.83m winger has made 22 appearances for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, scoring twice and providing one assist.

In August 2026, he scored both goals in Chicago Fire’s 2-1 Leagues Cup win against Mexican champions Cruz Azul.

His performances earned him a first senior Bafana Bafana call-up in September 2026 for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. He had previously represented South Africa at Under-20 and B team level.

Dithejane went on to make his international debut and scored his first goal for the national team.