Ashley Du Preez unveiled by Stellies after Kaizer Chiefs exit

Ashley Du Preez has officially joined the Maroons from Kaizer Chiefs, with the transfer also involving Stellenbosch winger Langelihle Phili moving in the opposite direction to the Soweto club.

The Maroons confirmed the arrival of the 29-year-old striker on Tuesday afternoon in an announcement published on their website. The deal is understood to be a player-plus-cash arrangement, with defender Given Msimango also moving to Cape Town as part of the agreement.

Du Preez’s departure from Kaizer Chiefs had appeared increasingly likely after a difficult spell at Naturena. The forward initially joined the Amakhosi in a big-money move in 2022, but his time in Johannesburg failed to produce the impact expected of him.

Across four years with Chiefs, Du Preez scored 19 goals and supplied seven assists in 74 appearances in all competitions. His opportunities became increasingly limited last season, further suggesting that his future lay away from the club following the arrival of a new technical setup.

The move represents a return to familiar surroundings for the Idas Valley-born attacker, who previously made 98 senior appearances for the Maroons. His pace was a key feature of that spell and helped the club secure promotion to the top flight before establishing themselves in the elite league.

Du Preez now returns to the Winelands with the aim of reviving a career that lost momentum after his move to Johannesburg. His arrival is part of a major recruitment drive by head coach Steve Barker, whose side are preparing for the 2026/27 campaign with ambitions of challenging for silverware.

Stellies have used the current registration window to add significant depth across the squad. Alongside Du Preez and Msimango, the club have brought in former Amakhosi reserve player Kgaogelo Ramushu on a long-term contract.

Experienced campaigner Thabiso Lebitso has also joined the Maroons, adding to a group of new arrivals assembled during an especially busy period in the transfer market.

The arrangement also sees Phili leave Stellenbosch for Kaizer Chiefs. The young winger has been described as a rising star and will now continue his development with the Soweto giants, while Msimango makes the move in the other direction with Du Preez.

For the Maroons, Du Preez’s return provides a familiar attacking option and another significant statement of intent ahead of the new season. For the striker, it offers the opportunity to restore the form and influence he showed before his move to Naturena.