Broos believes Union SG is the ideal destination for Mofokeng

Mofokeng was not part of the Bafana Bafana team that departed for Johannesburg yesterday afternoon at the Los Angeles International Airport after he was seen traveling with an official, believed to be from Union SG. 

SABC Sport has gathered that Mofokeng will undergo a medical in Belgium tomorrow morning before completing his move to Union SG, a team that will also be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season. 

The club-to-club agreement is also believed to have been concluded between Pirates and Union SG long before the World Cup, and the only thing pending was the finalization of personal terms, the medical, and Mofokeng’s unveiling. 

Reported in Belgium to be over R70-million, the deal makes the 21-year-old from Sharpeville in the Vaal, the most expensive transfer deal from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to an overseas club, and adds to some serious footballing business by Pirates in the last 12 months. 

The Buccaneers have sold Mohau Nkota for over R35-million, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi for R54-million to Saudi Arabia and the US Major League Soccer respectively. 

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Broos, a veteran Belgian coach and former technical Director of Anderlecht and Club Brugge, believes that Mofokeng is making a good move by joining Union SG. 

“I think it’s a good thing for him, and he will progress, but we mustn’t expect that he will play from the first day. 

“I think he will progress, but Rele must be stronger, it’s a very tough competition in Belgium, and in the first five to six months they will work a lot on his physical strength. 

“He’s a talented player, and once you have the power you need for such a competition, there will be no problem at all,” said Broos as he was walking to the boarding gates at LAX. 

Union SG has a strong South African connection with former Pirates assistant coach Chris O'Loughlin, now serving as the club’s Technical Director, and former Mamelodi Sundowns technical staff member and youth coach Shawn Bishop, is also the club’s Head of Methodology. Bishop was one of three analysts who was working with Bafana Bafana analysts Sinesipho Mali and Tinashe Mukandatsama remotely during the World Cup. 

St Gilloise is also the club where Percy Tau spent a season on loan, after he was signed by English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion from Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018. 

Just two months after helping Pirates to their first Betway Premiership title in 14 years and having played in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the ultimate football competition—the FIFA World Cup. Mofokeng is believed to be moving to Europe at the right time.