Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire FC has announced the transfer of centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Betway Premiership giants Orlando Pirates.
The 20-year-old joins the American outfit on a contract that “will run through 2029, with a club option for the 2029/30 season.” He joins Fire as an Under-22 Initiative player, a mechanism that enables clubs to register up to four players aged 22 or below on high-value deals with a discounted impact on the budget.
The move to the MLS ends days of speculation about Mbokazi’s future after he recently travelled to the USA to seal the deal.
“We are excited to welcome Mbekezeli to the Club as we further strengthen our back line,” said Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
“In his young career, he has already shown high potential and proven himself to be a strong leader and competitor on the international level. We expect immediate impact and room to grow in future.”
MBOKAZI’S RAPID RISE: FROM PIRATES, BAFANA TO THE MLS
The Hluhluwe-born star was largely tipped to make a move straight to Europe from Pirates following his rapid rise. Mbokazi made his professional debut in March 2025 after graduating from the Buccaneers’ DStv Diski side. Since then, he has been on a sensational rise.
It is a year he also made his Bafana Bafana debut in June and has so far made five appearances for the national side. A nominee for the 2025 CAF Young Player of the Year, the left-footed star has been included in Bafana’s final AFCON squad.
However, after high expectations that he would go to Europe, Mbokazi is now in the MLS. This is a league that South Africa coach Hugo Broos does not hold in high regard. The Belgian has also previously complained about the travelling time spent by players while reporting for national duty.
Mbokazi will be hoping his move to Chicago Fire will not see him losing his Bafana spot ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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