Highly-rated midfielder Thabo Cele has revealed why he opted against returning to South Africa to join Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs.
Cele attracted interest in the DStv Premiership from Chiefs following his departure from Portuguese side Cova Piedade.
The midfield maestro admitted that he was close to penning a deal with Chiefs last season but ended up at Radomiak Radom in Poland.
Cele joined Radom as a free agent in October 2021 as the deal to Amakhosi broke down in the eleventh hour, with the player stating that he nearly signed an agreement with the Naturea-based side.
The 25-year-old moving to Poland did not discourage Chiefs as the club revived their interest in KZN Football Academy graduate this year in June.
Cele was Chiefs’ radar as a possible new signing for the 2022/23 season, as coach Arthur Zwane was looking for a new midfielder that could fill in the ‘six role’.
But Radom rejected Chiefs’ offer as they view Cele as a vital member of the team.
THABO CELE EXPLAINS WHY HE DID NOT JOIN KAIZER CHIEFS
Cele said he turned down Chiefs in the last minute as continuing his spell with his current club, Radom, made more sense for him and his career in Europe.
“For me, I would say, it was really close [move to a PSL club] to happening, me coming back to South Africa,” said Cele during a Twitter Space hosted by Prince Sobayeni.
“But at the end of the day, I had to sit with myself and think about the decision, you know what I mean, and my people.
“It was close to happening, so yeah, I had to take a decision. And I decided that, like, for me right now, as much as I’m 25 years old, but I still feel like I have time to get to where I want to get ever since I came here in Europe.
“So I decided to stay this side, like fight as Lyle [Foster] said. So that was my decision,” added Cele
Cele is currently a regular for his polish side, Radom, featuring in the first 12 games of the season. He missed out on five games due to a muscle injury.
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