How Pirates stood in the way of Innocent Mdledle’s move to Tottenham
"Unfortunately, the deal ended in the office."
Retired defender Innocent Mdledle has made a shocking revelation about Orlando Pirates, claiming that the Soweto giants denied him an opportunity to join English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Mdledle revealed that a deal that would have seen him join Tottenham backdropped and ended in the Buccaneers’ office corridors several years ago.
The former Bafana Bafana international left-back stated that when he found out about the Tottenham failed move, he was dejected and stressed.
Mdledle, who played for Pirates between 2005 and 2009, revealed that Tottenham spotted him when they were playing in the Vodacom Challenge Cup back then.
He further said that he never knew how the negotiations with Tottenham fell apart around that time because he was never informed.
HOW DID TOTTENHAM GET TO BE INTERESTED IN MDLEDLE’S SERVICES
“Overseas move happened when we were playing against Tottenham [during Vodacom Challenge],” Mdledle said in an interview with TK Solutions TV.
“Unfortunately, the deal ended in the office [Orlando Pirates offices] because they never told me about the deal.
HOW MDLEDLE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TOTTENHAM FAILED MOVE
“You know how it is at the office. There is always people in the office; they talk. There was a guy who worked at the office, and he told me what happened.
“Obviously, it will hurt you inside. And there is nothing you can do because you are still contracted to the team,” he added.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns star divulged how this issue affected him at the time.
“Even my attitude dropped because this was a big opportunity. Every player wants to go play in Europe, especially when you are playing for a big team,” he revealed.
“You will want a new challenge, to go play in Europe. If you don’t get that chance, what is it you are going to do?”
Meanwhile, the player insists that he has made peace with it, as there is nothing he can do about it.
“So, this happened and after all, life goes on,” Mdledle explained.
Mdledle also played for teams such as Witbank Spurs, SuperSport United and Black Aces.
He also featured for Bafana during the FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup.
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