Thabo Cele joins Mamelodi Sundowns after Kaizer Chiefs exit

Thabo Cele has completed a free-transfer move to CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns after leaving Kaizer Chiefs.

Sundowns confirmed the signing of the 29-year-old midfielder on Thursday, bringing an end to a difficult spell at Chiefs, where he had fallen out of favour with the club’s hierarchy.

Cele had been separated from the first team for several weeks and was training on his own. His situation began to deteriorate early in the campaign after newly appointed Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz indicated that the midfielder was not part of his plans.

As a result, Cele was left out of Chiefs’ pre-season tour. The dispute over his role eventually led to an agreement between the player and the club to terminate his contract by mutual consent.

Mamelodi Sundowns acted quickly to secure the midfielder, who was regarded as a highly-rated defensive presence in midfield. The club have agreed a two-year contract with Cele, with an option to extend the deal further.

His arrival is expected to help address a shortage in the Sundowns midfield following the tragic death of Bafana Bafana player Jayden Adams in July. The club are also facing increasing expectations that Chilean playmaker Marcelo Allende could leave.

However, Sundowns supporters will have to wait before seeing Cele make his debut.

The midfielder missed important pre-season conditioning while his contract situation remained unresolved and is not yet at the required level of match fitness. He is therefore highly unlikely to be included in the starting line-up in the immediate future.