Villarreal opportunity moves South African teenager closer to European dream

Linamandla Thage is taking another step towards a career in European football after joining Villarreal’s player development programme in Spain.

The 19-year-old winger from Clayville, Gauteng, was identified at trials arranged through Sport On Court and is now part of a programme running from September 2026 until July 2027.

His father, Sello Thage, told the Siya crew that the opportunity followed a three-day camp held in Johannesburg in December 2024. Sport On Court, a Durban-based organisation, had first brought Villarreal to South Africa in 2023 before returning for activities in Durban and Johannesburg the following year.

Linamandla registered for the Johannesburg trials and became the only player selected from the city for a trip to Spain.

“He happened to be the only player who was selected from Johannesburg. He was invited to visit Spain, in Villarreal, for a training week,” Sello said.

That visit took place in September 2025, when Linamandla underwent an assessment at the Spanish club. He was subsequently invited to return this year and take part in Villarreal’s player development programme.

“He is in their player development programme. This programme is where international players who are received at this age and below have to go through the process,” his father explained.

Having completed his matric, Linamandla is also taking Spanish lessons as he adjusts to life and football in Spain. He is currently there on a student visa, while any move into one of Villarreal’s teams will depend on his performances and progress.

If the club is satisfied with his development after the programme, he could be considered for a place in one of its development teams, potentially at Under-23 level.

The Thage family’s football story began long before the Villarreal opportunity. Sello said his son’s passion for the game was clear from an early age and that Linamandla appeared to have inherited his own love of football.

“I also used to play a lot, and it’s just that I didn’t make it professional. I did not get tired of playing football and I was trying all the time. I think he took after me,” he said.

“Right from the beginning, when he started in primary school, we just knew he was a footballer.”

Sello also recalled that Linamandla was born with a condition affecting the alignment of his legs, although it improved gradually as he grew older.

The family’s main ambition is for the teenager to establish himself in Europe, which has always been his preferred route. They would consider opportunities in South Africa if circumstances changed, but Kaizer Chiefs is the club Linamandla would most like to represent if he eventually returns to play in Mzansi.

“Our desire is that he would play in Europe. That’s the initial plan, which is what he desires as well. For him to play that side,” Sello said.

“If he happens to return to South Africa, of course, we would be looking for opportunities to play this side. But our priority is Europe.”

Sello added that the family was open to support from potential sponsors, while insisting that the immediate focus remained on making the most of Linamandla’s opportunity at Villarreal.