Chicago Fire FC coach Gregg Berhalter has made a revelation regarding the MLS club’s acquisition of SA winger Puso Dithejane from Betway Premiership side TS Galaxy.
The 21-year-old joins Chicago Fire on a four-and-a-half-year deal with an option to extend for another season. Dithejane’s transfer comes after the Men in Red beat Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns to his signature.
He will link up with former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the Windy City. Just like Mbokazi, Dithejane will occupy Chicago Fire’s Under-22 initiative slot and an international roster position.
It is a move touted as a big step in Dithejane’s career, following strong interest in his services. Although Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is not an admirer of the MLS, Dithejane might have placed himself in a position to be considered for international football.
He is already a South African player after featuring at the 2025 COSAFA Cup. His impressive domestic form also earned him a spot in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for the 2025 AFCON. While he ultimately missed out on the final selection, Broos’ side was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Cameroon.
BERHALTER MAKES A REVELATION ABOUT DITHEJANE
Berhalter disclosed that Dithejane had been Chicago Fire’s long-time transfer target, and the club was tracking him. The Men in Red’s coach has spoken highly of his new acquisition.
“We’ve been scouting him for a while, and he’s one of the most highly regarded talents in South Africa right now. We saw an opportunity, and we went for it,” Berhalter told MIR97 Media.
“He’s a very dynamic winger; he can change the game. He’s a young player who needs development, but he has a really great attitude on the pitch, really good speed, and one-on-one ability. He has a lot of attributes that make him an exciting winger, and that’s what we wanted to add. We think we have a really good attack, and we wanted to bolster that.
“We know our schedule is packed next year, we need alternatives, and we think now with Jo Bamba, Phil [Zinckernagel], Maren [Haile-Selassie], Chris Mueller, and Puso now, we have a really good winger group.”
TS GALAXY WAVE GOODBYE TO DITHEJANE
TS Galaxy have bade farewell to Dithejane, who spent two years with them after being dumped by Chiefs, where he was a reserve team player.
“Thank you, Puso Dithejane, for your dedication, hard work, and commitment. You represented the badge with pride and professionalism, and your journey has inspired many,” the club said.
“We wish you nothing but success as you take this exciting next step with Chicago Fire. Once one of us, always one of us. All the best in the USA.”
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