Despite Kaizer Chiefs announcing their intention to sign Bloemfontein Celtic defender Erick Mathoho, KickOff.com has learnt of a late approach for the player from Orlando Pirates. 

Earlier today, KickOff.com spoke to Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung, who revealed they have approached the respective clubs to sign Mathoho, along with Morgan Gould and Edward Manqele.

Motaung has since revealed that Mathoho has indicated his desire to be at Naturena next season, saying: “Mathoho has written a letter to Celtic informing them that he wants to play for Chiefs next season. 

“Players are becoming wise these days and they see that if they go elsewhere they won’t play. Look at Majoro … before we signed him he made it clear he wanted to play for Chiefs only and look at him now – he is enjoying himself. He is happy here and has played.”

However, KickOff.com has since learned that Pirates are have made a late move for the player, who had failed to win a move to Dutch club FC Twente earlier this season.

Mathoho is seen as the perfect long-term partner for Siyabonga Sangweni, who had to carry a lot of the workload this season following a spate of injuries across the backline.