Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Phumelele Shozi closes in on FC Rustavi move

Former Kaizer Chiefs development player Phumelele Shozi is close to joining Georgian club FC Rustavi after impressing during a first-team assessment.

The South African midfielder was invited to train with FC Rustavi while the club evaluated his ability ahead of a possible move. Sources familiar with the situation say Shozi’s performances have made a strong impression and could lead to him continuing his career in Europe.

“FC Rustavi in Georgia invited Phumulani Shozi to join the first team for training after seeing his qualities, and they have been impressed with his performances since he arrived,” a source explained to the Siya crew.

Shozi’s representatives had previously been attempting to secure him an opportunity with a club in South Africa. They considered potential moves involving TS Galaxy, Tuks, Sekhukhune United and Lerumo Lions, but none of those discussions resulted in a transfer.

“His representatives had previously been working hard to find him an opportunity in South Africa. They explored possibilities with clubs such as TS Galaxy, Tuks, Sekhukhune United and Lerumo Lions, but none of those opportunities materialised into a move.

“The insider said the decision was eventually made to take Shozi to Georgia for an assessment, and that has worked out well because the club have been impressed with what they have seen from him.”He is now in a good position to secure an opportunity with FC Rustavi.”

The assessment in Georgia therefore appears to have provided Shozi with a clearer route into professional football after efforts to find a club at home failed to produce an agreement.

His possible move to FC Rustavi would mark a new stage in his development. Shozi came through the Kaizer Chiefs system as a development player and is now seeking to establish himself outside South Africa, known locally as Mzansi.

FC Rustavi’s invitation allowed the club to assess the midfielder directly in first-team training rather than relying solely on previous information about his ability. His performances since arriving have strengthened the possibility of a deal, although the move has not yet been confirmed.

The opportunity would also take Shozi into European football, with the Georgian club now understood to be considering him for a place in their set-up. According to sources close to the player, he is in a favourable position to secure an opportunity with FC Rustavi after making a positive impression during his trial period.

For Shozi, the proposed transfer follows a period in which his representatives explored several options in South Africa. With approaches involving TS Galaxy, Tuks, Sekhukhune United and Lerumo Lions failing to lead to a move, the decision to pursue an assessment in Georgia has so far proved productive.

A move to FC Rustavi would give the former Kaizer Chiefs development player the chance to continue his footballing progression abroad and begin the next part of his career outside the South African game.