DStv Premiership side SuperSport United are pondering a big decision on out-of-favour defender Luke Fleurs.
The 23-year-old defender has found the going tough at the club, struggling to hold down a regular place.
Some four years ago, after breaking into the first team, he was touted as potentially a big talent. However, his fortunes started waning last season with minimal game time.
During his breakout season, 2019/20, the then 19-year-old played 14 times. He built on his maiden season’s performances in 2020/21, making 20 appearances.
In 2021/22, he took it a notch higher, establishing himself as a regular as he featured 24 times. At the end of that season, he walked away with the DStv Premiership Young Player of the Season accolade.
Following Gavin Hunt’s arrival in 2022/23, the Mitchells Plain-born defender only made 11 appearances. One came in the MTN8, while 10 were in the league.
The former youth international’s struggles have continued this season, with his only taste of action this season being a late substitute appearance.
BIG LUKE FLEURS DECISION ON THE CARDS
Against Cape Town City on 18 August 2023, he came on with just two minutes to play.
According to a source close to the player, he is eager to get a new lease of life elsewhere. Fleurs is way down the pecking order with Siyanda Xulu, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Ime Okon and Abdulrazack Mohamed Hamza. The club also promoted Lyema Dopolo.
The club is reportedly pondering releasing him despite having extended his contract at the end of last year.
He was handed a new three-and-a-half-year deal, indicating that the club had him in their future plans. However, his involvement has continued to decrease under Hunt’s tutelage.
Should the parties agree to mutually part ways, Fleurs could find himself looking for a new team.
Fleurs was the first Ubuntu Football Academy graduate to join South Africa’s Premier Soccer League in May 2018. He started his journey with the Cape Town-based Ubuntu family at 12.
The talented defender represented South Africa at Under 17 level in 2016, starting all 13 Amajimbos matches that year. He went on to play for the Under 20s under Thabo Senong in 2018.
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