“I Knew Three Games Before” - Mofokeng Exposes Secret World Cup Transfer Pact
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Inside Mofokeng’s Hidden Path to the Belgian Top Flight
South Africa made history at the 2026 World Cup by reaching the knockout stage for the first time in history, and following their impressive showing, several Bafana Bafana players are now on the radar of clubs across Europe.
Just days after their exit in the Round of 32, it was confirmed that Orlando Pirates rising star and last season’s Player of the Year, Relebohile Mofokeng, had agreed a move to join Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise for the 2026-27 campaign.
While fans across Mzansi believed that Mofokeng’s deal was rapidly agreed after the end of last season, the 21-year-old attacker stunned listeners on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified by lifting the lid on the secrecy that occurs behind closed doors in modern football. Mofokeng said:
"I found out three games before the season ended. My agent called me and told me, 'Don't panic, just keep playing your football, but the deal with Union SG is completely done.' It was incredibly hard to keep a straight face on the pitch when you know your entire life is about to change."
Managing the emotional weight of a dream move to Europe while simultaneously fighting for domestic silverware and a spot in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana World Cup squad is a tough balancing act even for the most seasoned veterans.
Yet, instead of letting the secret distract him, Mofokeng used the agreement as fuel, maintaining his world-class form for the Buccaneers right until the end of the campaign before proving why he is one of the brightest prospects on the international stage in North America last month.
Mofokeng Set for Life-Changing Belgian Payday
The hidden transfer timeline surrounding Mofokeng’s move is not the only aspect that has left fans stunned, as the financial details coming out of Brussels are even more staggering, with the 21-year-old now seemingly set to pocket a life-changing payday.
To secure the services of Mofokeng from Orlando Pirates, Union Saint-Gilloise agreed a transfer fee of around €3m (roughly R60m), coupled with a massive personal contract:
Mofokeng’s Blockbuster Financial Package
- Yearly Earnings: R20.4 million
- Monthly Salary: R1.7 million
- Weekly Payday: R425,000
Fair to say, Mofokeng’s R1.7 million-per-month package completely alters the financial landscape for young South African footballers, as only a handful of players - typically the elite of Mamelodi Sundowns - get anywhere close to a seven-figure salary.
Beyond the life-changing financials, Mofokeng’s deal reflects Union SG’s immense belief in his ability and ceiling, especially when considering that the club operates under a strict, data-driven recruitment model overseen by chairman Tony Bloom.
