South African junior international Olwethu Makhanya is on his way to America, but it's understood his trip has been delayed. The young defender has joined a new club in Major League Soccer following his transfer from Stellenbosch FC to Philadelphia Union on a two-year contract with an option to have the deal extended until 2027.
But according to Siya sources prior to going to print, Makhanya was held back from being registered by his new side because of outstanding documents. Indications are that the two parties were still going back and forth regarding the player's international clearance to finalise the move.
Now that Philadelphia Union has agreed a transfer fee for Makhanya and the announcement made to have him move to North America as the club's "U-22 initiative" signing, the mother body SAFA are responsible for issuing the relevant paperwork as the last step.
But this week, Stellenbosch were understood to still be waiting on the association to give an update, which meant Makhanya would still be in limbo. The 19-year-old centre-back is expected to earn a minimum of R2.6million a year as per the rules in the MLS regarding players in the category.
Stellies would have also received a sizeable fee that also gave the team from the Winelands license to further strengthen their team with a few foreign internationals as well as winger Kgaogelo Sekgota from Kaizer Chiefs.
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