Orlando Pirates star Mbekezeli Mbokazi is set to complete an imminent move to MLS side Chicago Fire.
This comes after reports of Pirates and Fire agreeing a transfer fee of R51 million for Mbokazi’s sale to Chicago.
Mbokazi set to leave Pirates for Fire
This move will represent a huge milestone in Mbokazi’s career which has gone up in leaps and bounds. In the year 2025 the Hluhluwe-born defender has made his Pirates first team debut, Bafana Bafana debut. The impending move to Fire will add a third achievement to the list in a deal abroad. Now should the move take place, here is why it wouldn’t be the right move for him.
Many may question whether Mbokazi could’ve left Pirates for a better league in Europe instead. But on the other side, when you look at the transfer fee from Fire, the temptation is clear. How much of that, however, will benefit the 20-year-old’s pocket as well though.
How much could he possibly earn?
According Soccer-Laduma, there are various financial categories Mbokazi could land in at Fire. All of these being lucrative enough to lure him away from Pirates and possibly Europe too for now.
“Given that Chicago would be investing around $3 million in transfer fees alone, Mbokazi would almost certainly land in the upper financial bracket for U22 signings. Realistically, his annual earnings could fall anywhere between $300,000 (R5.2 million) and $900,000 (R15.6 million) depending on bonuses, guarantees, and performance clauses. MLS salaries, publicly available through MLS Players Association releases, consistently show that players signed for fees above $2 million rarely earn on the lower end of the scale. Mbokazi’s status as a Bafana Bafana international and a regular at Pirates further strengthens his value. Chicago Fire’s new coach Gregg Berhalter favours athletic defenders in possession-based systems, and the club would view Mbokazi as a first-team asset rather than a development gamble.” They estimate.
Your figures?
How much do you think Mbokazi should earn from his move from Pirates to Chicago Fire? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.