South African star Relebohile Mofokeng is on the verge of completing a high-profile move to Belgian Pro League side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise after Orlando Pirates confirmed that the two clubs have reached an agreement over his transfer.

The Buccaneers announced that negotiations between the clubs have been successfully concluded, with only the final formalities standing between the 21-year-old and his first move to European football. The transfer remains subject to Mofokeng passing a medical examination and agreeing personal terms with the Belgian outfit.

Born on October 23, 2004, in Sharpeville, Gauteng, Mofokeng was identified by Orlando Pirates from the SAFA-Transnet School of Excellence (one of the biggest youth Football academies in South Africa) ahead of the 2022/23 season. Three years later, the gifted attacking midfielder is set to become one of the club’s biggest exports after earning a dream move to Europe.

The deal is reportedly worth more than million €3 million (Ksh. 441m), making it the biggest outgoing transfers in Orlando Pirates’ history. Following Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup campaign, Mofokeng skipped the team’s return flight to South Africa and instead travelled directly to Brussels, where he is expected to undergo his medical before signing a four-year contract with Union Saint-Gilloise.

Orlando Pirates also disclosed that an agreement in principle between the two clubs had actually been reached before the start of the FIFA World Cup. However, both clubs agreed to keep the deal under wraps until after the tournament, allowing Mofokeng to focus fully on South Africa’s historic World Cup campaign without the distraction of transfer speculation.

The club added that no further comment will be made until the transfer process has been fully concluded.

Mofokeng leaves Orlando Pirates after enjoying a remarkable rise at the Soweto giants. Since breaking into the first team after arriving from the SAFA-Transnet School of Excellence ahead of the 2022/23 season, the attacking midfielder made 125 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 31 assists across all competitions.

His impact extended far beyond individual numbers. During his time at the club, he helped Orlando Pirates lift seven major trophies, 1 Carling Black Label Knockout Cup, 3 MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cup trophies and the Betway Premiership title, ending the Buccaneers’ 13-year wait for a league championship..

His final season proved to be the most memorable of his career. Mofokeng was instrumental in guiding Orlando Pirates to a historic domestic treble, including their first Betway Premiership crown since 2012. Individually, he enjoyed an outstanding league campaign, registering 10 goals and eight assists in 27 league appearances, firmly establishing himself as one of South Africa’s finest young footballers.

His outstanding performances at club level earned him a place in Hugo Broos’ 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was one of eight Orlando Pirates players selected to represent Bafana Bafana.

Although he was an unused substitute during South Africa’s opening 2-0 defeat to Mexico, Mofokeng’s tournament came to life in the second group match against the Czech Republic. Introduced after the break, he added creativity and energy to Bafana Bafana’s attack, helping his side fight back for a valuable 1-1 draw.

His impressive display earned him a first World Cup start in the decisive group-stage encounter against South Korea. Handed the No. 10 role, the 21-year-old produced one of his finest performances in national colours, dictating the tempo of the match and pulling the strings in midfield as Bafana Bafana secured a historic victory that booked their place in the Round of 32.

Mofokeng retained his place in the starting line-up for the knockout clash against Canada before being substituted at half-time. Although South Africa’s memorable World Cup journey came to an end following a narrow defeat, the youngster emerged from the tournament with his reputation enhanced after proving he could perform on football’s biggest stage.

His displays at both club and international level have now been rewarded with a long-awaited move to Europe, where he will look to continue his rapid development in Belgium. Should the remaining formalities be completed successfully, Mofokeng will become the latest South African star to test himself in European football, closing one remarkable chapter with Orlando Pirates while opening an exciting new one with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.