Mamelodi Sundowns’ new signing Brayan Leon has explained why he opted to join the Brazilians from Colombian side Independiente Medellin.
The 25-year-old striker was confirmed as a new Masandawana player on Monday in what FARPost understands to be on a two-year deal. Leon arrives at Sundowns as they prepare for the second half of the 2025/26 season.
The move to Chloorkop comes some days after this publication had reported that he was on his way to Sundowns on a R58 million transfer. Last week, the player himself bade farewell to Independiente Medellin as he prepared for a new chapter in his career.
“A huge thank you to Independiente Medellin for opening the doors to this beautiful institution and helping me grow on this path,” said Leon.
“To all those good people I met here, I’m grateful for the good and the not-so-good that happened. I wish them the best always.”
LEON EXPLAINS WHY HE JOINED SUNDOWNS
This will be his first time to ply his trade outside his native country, having been playing professional football since 2021. That presents him with a whole new football environment as he gears up to adapt to the demands of the Betway Premiership as well as the CAF Champions League.
“I chose Sundowns because of the new challenges, and I think this is the best team, the most successful,” said Leon on his unveiling.
“It’s always great to have these new challenges and to be a champion here. I really hope to return the favour. I already mentioned that Sundowns are the most successful team.
“That’s what I’m here for, to in, to reap titles and to make it even bigger than it already is. I’m proud to be yellow.”
Before Leon, the last Colombian player to sign for Sundowns was Leonardo Castr,o who was part of their 2016 CAF Champions League-winning squad before switching camp to Kaizer Chiefs after two and a half seasons.
ARE SUNDOWNS SPOT-ON IN ADDING LEON IN ATTACK?
Leon joins the Brazilians at a time when they appear desperate in their season. They are chasing Orlando Pirates in the PSL title race, risking having their run of eight successive league crowns come to a halt.
Masandawana are second on the table with two points fewer than the Buccaneers. Leon’s acquisition comes as they seek to add more bite to their attack.
The Tshwane giants currently have the likes of Peter Shalulile, Iqraam Rayners, Lebo Mothiba and Arthur Sales as centre-forwards in their squad. That poses stiff competition to Leon in his bid to turn himself into a regular starter.
Rayners has been the most prolific of them in the league with six PSL goals so far this season. With Sundowns keen on saving their Betway Premiership campaign, that places expectations high on Leon.
It is a season in which the Brazilians have already missed out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout. That leaves them with the PSL, Nedbank Cup and Champions League to play for.
While Sundowns’ Betway Premiership campaign has exposed their season as a difficult campaign, it is the Champions League which they have been prioritising over the years.
They currently lead Group C, where they have four points, the same as second-placed Al Hilal Omdurman, but enjoy a superior goal difference. Leon is expected to add more quality upfront, the way Lucas Ribeiro Costa was a reliable scorer as Masandawana bid to conquer Africa.
However, he arrived at Chloorkop at a time when coach Miguel Cardoso’s exit from Sundowns looms. FARPost reported that Pitso Mosimane is prepared to rejoin Sundowns after spending a year unemployed.
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