Latest on Ime Okon – local interest confirmed

With Matsatsantsa more concerned about first securing their Betway Premiership status, it’s understood that discussions on players whose contracts are running out have been put on hold for now. 

The public broadcaster revealed recently that, as things stand, Okon would leave SuperSport on a free transfer despite reports quoting CEO Stan Matthews stating otherwise – a comment later rebuffed by the player’s agent. 

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Glyn Binkin has now offered a further update on the centre back’s future and confirmed there has been interest from rival clubs in the Premier Soccer League topflight as well as overseas. 

The veteran agent revealed that Okon was still on his first-ever contract when he arrived at the club from a Johannesburg-based academy and was later promoted to the senior team at the start of the 2023/24 season. 

“In respect of Ime Okon I can once again state quite categorically that he has not extended his deal with SuperSport United and that despite rumours to the contrary, no deal has ever been agreed in principle,” Binkin said. 

“To be honest we have been waiting patiently since January 2024, when SuperSport exercised the option to extend his initial deal until 30 June 2025 – for the SuperSport board to present us with a new deal but despite the odd ad hoc conversations here and there whereby they indicated that they want to do a new deal, absolutely nothing has come to fruition. 

“The sad reality is that despite the immense progress he has made over the past two years, Ime is still on the very first contract he signed when he joined SuperSport United as an amateur from Randburg FC in January 2023.” 

Okon recently returned from trials at Dynamo Kyiv, and although the Ukrainian club expressed a desire to sign the player, no transfer was agreed. 

Binkin has now said the next few weeks will be crucial in determining where the 21-year-old plays his football next season. 

“Ime is now focused on trying to help SuperSport United maintain their PSL status, but effective 1 July 2025, Ime Okon is a free agent. In this regard, we have had a lot of enquiries both locally and abroad for his services.

“Once the season finishes, we will definitely be looking at it to secure the player the future he deserves.”

SuperSport CEO Stan Matthews did not want to comment.