Ex-Chiefs fan-favourite close to Pirates switch
Hendrick Ekstein will be donning the black and white colours of Orlando Pirates, Phakaaathi has learnt.
Hendrick Ekstein (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
According to a source, Ekstein already agreed in January to join Pirates but the deal has been kept under wraps all along.
Phakaaathi reported that Ekstein had already signed a pre-contract with Pirates in January, hence the talks between him and Chiefs over a new contract took so long to reach a conclusion.
“Pule thought he would be released by Chiefs at the end of the season, hence he decided to sign a pre-contract with Pirates. When Ernst (Middendorp) came out to say he wanted him to stay, it was already too late,” a source told Phakaaathi.
READ: Tshabalala set for Chiefs return?
“Bobby (Motaung) heard about the Pirates deal hence he offered Ekstein a one-off deal, because he knew that they were wasting their time talking to Pule.”
Meanwhile, a player clear-out is expected at Pirates, with the likes of Thabo Matlaba, Justice Chabalala, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Meshack Maphangule, Diamond Thopola, Abel Mabaso, Linda Mntambo, and Gladwin Shitolo said to be on their way out of the club.
As reported by Phakaaathi earlier, Mabaso, Mntambo, and Maphangule are set to join Chippa United on loan.
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