Relebohile Mofokeng bids emotional farewell to Orlando Pirates after Union Saint-Gilloise move

South African attacker Relebohile Mofokeng has paid an emotional tribute to Orlando Pirates following the completion of his transfer to Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise.

The highly-rated Bafana Bafana international has left the Buccaneers to begin a new European adventure after agreeing a four-year contract with the Belgian club.

Mofokeng’s departure marks the end of a remarkable rise at Orlando Pirates, where he broke through as one of South Africa’s brightest young talents and quickly became a key figure in the team’s success.

The 21-year-old winger played a significant role in Pirates’ recent achievements, earning admiration from supporters through his creativity, confidence and ability to produce match-winning moments despite his young age.

Following his move abroad, Mofokeng took to social media to express his gratitude to Orlando Pirates, describing the club as a special part of his career and thanking everyone who contributed to his development.

The talented attacker admitted that while he is moving on to a new challenge, the memories and lessons gained at Pirates will remain with him forever.

“As I embark on a new chapter in my career, I do so carrying the values, memories, and experiences that Orlando Pirates has given me. This club will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will always be proud to have been part of its rich history and tradition. This is not goodbye, but rather A THANK YOU for an unforgettable journey,” Mofokeng wrote.

The South African star also acknowledged the role Pirates played in shaping him both as a footballer and as a person, insisting he will always hold the club in high regard.

“I will always respect and honour everything the team has done for me. I arrived at Orlando Pirates as Rele, I leave as Relebohile Mofokeng. Being part of the team has not only made me a better player, but a better person also.”

Mofokeng went on to wish Pirates continued success, expressing his hope that the club will continue bringing happiness to its millions of supporters across the globe.

“May Orlando Pirates continue to achieve greatness and bring joy to its millions of supporters around the world. Thank you for everything. With gratitude and respect, Relebohile.”

He concluded his farewell message with the famous Pirates slogan:

“Once & Always.”

Mofokeng’s move to Europe represents another major milestone in a career that has progressed rapidly since his emergence from the Pirates academy. His performances at domestic level earned him recognition from the national team, with the winger becoming one of the youngest players to represent Bafana Bafana.

For Orlando Pirates, his departure is a significant loss, but the transfer also highlights the club’s ability to develop and nurture young talent capable of attracting interest from overseas.

As Mofokeng begins his European journey with Union Saint-Gilloise, he leaves South Africa with the appreciation of Pirates supporters who watched him grow from a promising youngster into one of the country’s most exciting footballers.

While he may no longer wear the famous black and white jersey, his emotional farewell made it clear that the bond between Relebohile Mofokeng and Orlando Pirates will remain forever.