Kaizer Chiefs confirm long-awaited Asanele Velebayi signing | OneFootball

Chiefs sign long-term target

Photo: X/@ Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the signing of former Cape Town Spurs captain Asanele Velebayi after the Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) ruled in the player’s favor, declaring him as a free agent on Monday.

The 22-year-old winger had been on the Soweto giants’ radar for a prolonged period as efforts to lure him to Naturena went in vain at the beginning of last season, with the Spurs hierarchy slapping a hefty R12 million figure for his services.

As a result, Velebayi missed out on the big move and was forced to play in the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the previous campaign. The Urban Warriors suffered back-to-back demotions after a dismal showing in the second tier saw them drop to the third division.

In the wake of the Cape club’s relegation, Amakhosi swiftly pounced on landing the player’s signature on a free transfer, much to the frustration of Spurs, who insist they are entitled to a transfer fee despite their relegation to the ABC Motsepe League.

According to NSL rules, once a team is relegated to the amateur ranks, its players are free to sign with any club of their choice. But Spurs ordered Velebayi, along with Luke Baartman and Liam Bern to report for training, of which the trio declined, prompting a legal battle.

With Velebayi having won his case against the club, Baartman and Bern await a verdict on their respective cases, with the striker believed to have also signed with Chiefs, while the midfielder is said to have joined AmaZulu.

Spurs are expected to escalate the transfer saga to the South African Football Association (SAFA), but at this stage they are only likely to get a development fee. The players rose through the club’s youth ranks at the Ikamva academy.