Kaizer Chiefs set to cash in $600,000 as rising defender Aden McCarthy nears European move

Kaizer Chiefs could soon see another product of their renowned academy take the next step in his career, with highly-rated defender Aden McCarthy reportedly closing in on a move to European football.

The 22-year-old centre-back is understood to be on the verge of joining Azerbaijani club Sabah FK in a deal worth around $600,000, continuing a recent trend of Chiefs academy graduates attracting interest from clubs abroad.

If completed, McCarthy would follow in the footsteps of former Amakhosi youngsters who have successfully secured moves overseas, underlining the club’s growing reputation for developing talent capable of competing on the international stage.

Reports linking McCarthy with a move away from Naturena first surfaced earlier this week, despite the defender only recently signing a first-team contract with Chiefs.

The left-footed defender is believed to have agreed a two-year deal with the Soweto giants, but growing interest from clubs outside South Africa appears to have accelerated developments surrounding his future.

According to reports, Chiefs included a buyout clause in McCarthy’s contract, and Sabah FK have now triggered that provision, clearing the way for negotiations to progress towards completion.

The proposed transfer is reportedly subject to the player successfully passing a medical examination, with personal terms between McCarthy and the Azerbaijani side already agreed.

The deal would provide a significant financial return for Chiefs, who are also believed to have negotiated a 10 percent sell-on clause. Such an arrangement would allow the club to benefit from any future transfer involving the defender should Sabah decide to sell him later in his career.

According to reports, the activation of the release clause has effectively paved the way for the transfer to proceed.

“SABC Sport understands that Azerbaijani outfit Sabah FK have triggered the buyout clause in Aden McCarthy’s contract at Kaizer Chiefs, taking the defender’s reported move abroad a step closer,” the report stated.

“The development effectively clears the path for the 22-year-old’s transfer to Europe, subject to a successful medical, with personal terms between the player and Sabah understood to have already been agreed.”

McCarthy’s departure would leave Chiefs needing additional cover in the left-sided centre-back position ahead of the new season.

One option already available to the club is Kgosana Cossa, who recently returned from a loan spell at Botswana Premier League side Black Lions FC.

Cossa impressed during his time in Botswana and is viewed as a potential candidate to step into the role should McCarthy complete his move.

For Chiefs, the transfer would represent both a financial boost and another example of their academy producing players capable of attracting attention beyond South African borders. For McCarthy, meanwhile, the move would offer an opportunity to test himself in Europe and continue his development on a larger stage.