Kaizer Chiefs have activated an R3 million release clause in the contract of Golden Arrows defender Bradley Cross. The club is now set to negotiate personal terms with the former Newcastle United star, with expectations high that Cross will accept the move and finalise his acquisition.
Cross, a 23-year-old left-footed defender, joined Arrows at the start of the previous season. This was after leaving Maritzburg United on a free transfer. Even though Abafana Bes’thende had an indifferent 2023/24 term, Cross had a commendable season, featuring in 24 matches.
His performances also caught the eye of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. The Belgian included him in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin. Interestingly, Chiefs’ head coach Nasreddine Nabi is well-known for his preference for players who can fill multiple roles on the field.
Given Cross’s abilities as a versatile left centre-back who can also play as a fullback, he seems to be a perfect fit for Nabi’s tactical approach. His composure on the ball and ability to initiate attacks from the back are impressive. He could compete for a starting position with Rushwin Dortley at left centre-back or challenge Bongani Sam and Happy Mashiane for the left-back role.
His well-rounded character and positive demeanour are known to have made a favourable impression on everyone at Arrows. If all goes according to plan, he could become Chiefs’ sixth signing. He would join Bongani Sam, Fiacre Ntwari, Rushwin Dortley, Gaston Sirino and Angolan defender Inacio Miguel.
WHAT PROMPTED BRADLEY CROSS’S RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA
The Bidvest Wits product played for Schalke 04’s Under 19 team before moving to England, where he represented Newcastle’s Under 21 and 23 sides. The Magpies signed him as a 19-year-old in 2020 after a successful trial following his loan spell at FC Schalke 04 from Wits.
An injury setback at Newcastle led to a period of inactivity, prompting his return home to reignite his career. “Overseas, it’s quite difficult, I tried in Germany. I tried in England. And I got an injury, unfortunately, when I was at Newcastle [United],” said Cross in a previous interview.
“And then I came back to South Africa to do my rehab. I was out of football for too long, and I needed to get back to football and get going again. “I felt doing that in South Africa would be good for me, that’s the feeling I had.”
Two years ago, Cross attempted to join Amakhosi. However, his trial was unsuccessful, potentially due to fitness concerns as he was still recovering from a long-term injury at the time of the assessment. He eventually joined Maritzburg United in January and subsequently moved to Arrows following the Midlands side’s relegation.
Joining Chiefs could represent a significant milestone for Cross even as he harbours ambitions of someday playing in Europe.
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