Kaizer Chiefs have shown interest in signing Bafana Bafana midfielder Thabo Cele as they are looking to beef up their squad for the upcoming season.
According to the latest reports, Thabo Cele, who is currently in Europe, could return to South Africa if he accepts Kaizer Chiefsʼ offer.
Amakhosi have already signed two players during the June transfer window, however, they are yet to sign a midfielder. Kabomelo Kodisang, who was heavily linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs in the past few years, has unfortunately joined Mamelodi Sundowns.
A source told the media that Amakhosi has been monitoring the situation of Thabo Cele for about three years now. They feel it is about time they make a move on the player.
Kaizer Chiefs management approached the representatives of Thabo Cele and everything have been going great between both parties.
Amakhosi recently parted ways with Siyethemba Sithebe, who has now joined Richards Bay. They are now looking to sign Thabo Cele as the replacement. It was further revealed that the player is also open to returning to South Africa.
Where is Thabo Cele currently playing?
The 27-year-old midfielder is currently under the books of the Russian Premier League side, Fakel Voronezh. The club signed him as a free-agent after being released by the Polish side, Radomiak.
Thabo Cele joined Fakel Voronezh at the beginning of this season and has made 13 appearances for the Russian side in all competitions. He is to score a goal or make an assist at his club.
Which position does Thabo Cele play?
The Bafana Bafana midfielder can play as an attacking midfielder, and also as a defensive midfielder. He can fit perfectly at Kaizer Chiefs because he plays mostly as a central midfielder, where the club lacks the most.
After the departure of the Zimbabwean born midfielder, Willard Katsande, Kaizer Chiefs have been struggling to replace the retired midfielder for years now.
They have signed a number of players in the similar position, however, none of them seems to fit.
Thabo Celeʼs background
Thabo Cele is originally from the KwaZulu-Natal well-known township, kwaMashu. That is where he was born and raised. He grew up and started his football career at KZN Academy.
He then moved to the Portuguese side, Real SC, back in August 2016. A year later he joined the reserve team of Benfica as a free-agent.
The midfielder returned to Real SC on a loan deal, just after six months later. Benfica reserve team released the South African midfielder just a year later after signing him.
Thabo Cele then joined another Portuguese side, Cova Piedade as a free-agent in July 2018. He made 73 appearances for Cova Piedade, managing to score five goals and three assists.
He was then released by the Portuguese side in July 2021. That was when he decided to leave Portugal and started a new chapter elsewhere.
The 27-year-old moved to Poland. However, he only stayed for only two years at Poland and is now in Russia. There is a great opportunity that he could leave Russia this month and return to South Africa.
