Ex-Amajita defender Mbongeni Kanyane has completed a transfer from Chicago Fire FC to USL League One side Forward Madison FC.
The 24-year-old left-back who can also play as a central defender will be playing in the third-tier of USA football. This is after he spent last season with the Chicago Fire reserve side competing in the MLS Next Pro League.
A 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Cup winner with the South Africa, Kanyane leaves Chicago Fire just as the MLS outfit signed Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Puso Dithejane from Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy, respectively.
“Joining Forward Madison is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m grateful for the trust the club has shown,” Kanyane said.
“I’m excited to get to Madison, embrace the culture, and compete every day with this group. I truly believe we can do great things together, and I’m coming in focused, ambitious, and ready to work to help the team succeed and represent the city with pride.”
FORWARD MADISON ‘TRACKED KANYANE FOR SEVERAL YEARS’
Kanyane has been in the USA since 2024 when he was turning out for Dayton University and was on the radar of his new club. Forward Madison coach Matt Glaeser describes him as having a “soccer IQ.”
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome Geni to Forward Madison. We’ve tracked him for several years, through his time in college and into the professional game, and we’ve always thought he would be a great fit here,” Glaeser said.
“He is a talented wide player who has a high level of technical ability and soccer IQ. He is hungry to come in and show his qualities in USL League One.”
Matt Cairns, the Forward Madison sporting director says Kanyane is the perfect player the club needed.
“Geni checks every box for what a Forward Madison player will look like this season,” said Cairns.
“Heading into the peak years of his career, he brings a fantastic blend of technical skill and athleticism to help the team at both ends of the pitch. We’re confident he’ll hit the ground running in the Forward Madison jersey.”
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