Sundowns hold key to Jody February’s future with contract option

Jody February’s hopes of leaving Mamelodi Sundowns on a free transfer could depend on whether the club activates a one-year option in his contract.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper, currently on loan at Siwelele FC, is under contract with Sundowns until June next year. Under FIFA transfer regulations, he would normally be free to agree a pre-contract with another club from January, when he enters the final six months of his deal.

However, Prosport International chief executive Mike Makaab says February’s departure from the Tshwane club is not certain.

The agent confirmed Sundowns included an option in the contract extension February signed earlier this year. The clause allows the club to extend the goalkeeper’s deal unilaterally for another season.

“Sundowns, they have an option on Jody February,” Makaab told KickOff.

That provision gives the reigning CAF Champions League champions control over whether February becomes available as a free agent next year.

February joined Sundowns from Ajax Cape Town, now known as Cape Town Spurs, in 2019 but has struggled to establish himself in the first team. He has made only eight senior appearances across all competitions since moving to Chloorkop.

The goalkeeper has remained behind Ronwen Williams and Denis Onyango in the pecking order, leading him to pursue regular playing time through a series of loan moves.

Before his current spell in Bloemfontein with Siwelele, February spent time on loan at Cape Umoya United, Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu FC.

His latest move has offered a significant opportunity to rebuild his reputation. February has impressed with a string of commanding performances and became the shootout hero as Siwelele defeated Polokwane City to win the Carling Knockout.

Siwelele do not have an option to sign him permanently when the season ends, but his form has attracted interest ahead of the January transfer window.

Any club looking to recruit the former junior international without paying a transfer fee will therefore have to wait for Sundowns’ decision. The club must choose whether to take up the option and retain February for at least another season or allow him to leave when his current agreement expires.