Former Stellenbosch FC defender Olwethu Makhanya has revealed how his deal to sign with United States of America side Philadelphia Union came about.
Stellenbosch announced on Tuesday that they have agreed with Philadelphia Union for the permanent transfer of Makhanya for an undisclosed fee.
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The 19-year-old became Stellies' first export to the USA, where he joins the likes of former Maritzburg United striker Bongokuhle Hlongwane and former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Njabulo Blom, in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Makhanya has revealed that there was a sports consultant who was watching their game last season where they eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup in April at Athlone Stadium and the consultant was impressed by his performance.
"At the time I was playing against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup there was a sports consultant from the USA, he watched the game and after watching the game he started making calls in the USA," Makhanya said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.
"To say 'There's an interesting player that plays in the PSL. He's young'. He started following my games and Philadelphia was the team that was speaking to him."
The highly-rated defender, who won the 2023 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player award, went on and says he was not aware that Philadelphia and the consultant were following his games, until they told him at the end of the season.
"I didn't know (that they were following me). I found out at the end of the season, they told me they started following me from that game against Sundowns," he said.
"They said they like my style of play, they think the type of football they play that I can fit in very well and age is still on my side, there's enough time to adapt," he added.
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