Njabulo Blom joins Stellenbosch FC on loan ahead of possible Kaizer Chiefs reunion

Stellenbosch FC have signed Njabulo Blom on a season-long loan from Indonesian Super League club Borneo Samarinda.

The deal was completed before Monday’s transfer deadline, and the 26-year-old midfielder has now arrived in Stellenbosch to join Gavin Hunt and his new team-mates.

Blom returns to South Africa’s top flight after spells overseas with Major League Soccer side St. Louis City and Borneo Samarinda, having also had two separate spells with Kaizer Chiefs.

The twice-capped Bafana Bafana international will hope the move allows him to regain regular competitive football after a period away from domestic action.

“I’m excited to be here”

Blom said Stellenbosch’s professional approach and reputation for helping players develop influenced his decision to join the Cape Winelands club.

“I’m excited to be here, and to start this journey in a new environment,” Blom said in comments confirmed by Stellenbosch FC.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and building relationships with my new teammates. I will do my best to help the team and see what we can achieve together.”

He added: “Stellenbosch is a professional and well-run club, and players who have played here in the past have enjoyed success, so I felt that it was a good environment for me to grow and to play competitive football again.”

Blom will wear the number 35 shirt during his time with Stellenbosch.

Opportunity to work with Gavin Hunt

The midfielder also welcomed the chance to work with Hunt, believing the Stellenbosch coach’s demands can help him recover his best form.

“I know coach Gavin demands a lot from his players and that will also help me improve and get back to my best,” Blom said.

His arrival gives Hunt’s squad another experienced option in midfield as Stellenbosch prepare for the season ahead.

Possible first meeting with Kaizer Chiefs

Blom could face his former club soon after joining Stellenbosch, with the Maroons scheduled to meet Kaizer Chiefs in a league fixture on 17 October.

The match could therefore provide an early reunion between the midfielder and the club where he began his senior career, and where he spent two spells before moving abroad.

For now, Blom’s immediate focus is settling into Hunt’s squad and returning to competitive action after his time with Borneo Samarinda.