Recently-promoted Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk have announced the transfer decisions they have made on South African international striker Cassius Mailula and three other players.
Mailula spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Kortrijk from Major League Soccer [MLS] outfit Toronto FC. The Belgian club had an option to turn the loan deal into a permanent move.
After spending this season in the second-tier, Kortrijk have now been promoted back to the Jupiler Pro League, where they will compete next term.
But the former Mamelodi Sundowns forward struggled for game time in The Guys’ colours after joining them in September 2025. He managed to feature in just three league games, all coming in December 2025, as two starts and a substitute appearance.
That has not been enough to convince Kortrijk coach Jonckheere Michiel and the club to trigger the option of a permanent transfer.
“[Challouk] Youssef, [Afolabi] Jonathan, [Osifo] Manuel and Cassius are saying goodbye to our club. Thank you for your effort, passion and commitment to our colours. We wish you good luck in all that is yet to come,” Kortrijk announced on Saturday.
MAILULA’S MISSED EUROPEAN TOP-FLIGHT FOOTBALL OPPORTUNITY
The decision on Mailula might not come as a surprise given how he struggled for game time throughout the season. It is, however, a setback for a player who was long tipped to break into top-flight league football in Europe.
A 2022/23 sensational Betway Premiership season with Sundowns heightened expectations on Mailula, who then secured a move to Toronto FC in the USA. But the MLS side sent him to spend more time with their reserve side, which was a major drawback in his progress.
However, a loan spell at Wydad Casablanca under Rulani Mokwena last season, and scoring at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, saw the rebirth of Mailula. The loan move to Kortrijk then provided an opportunity to finally play top-tier football in Europe, but all hopes have been shattered, for now.
The 24-year-old’s Toronto FC contract expires in December 2026.
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