Orlando Pirates have started their preparations for 2019/20 season’s squad, with the club having completed the signing of a Chippa United defender-cum-midfielder, as confirmed by sources in the know. 

It was revealed by the Siya crew earlier in the season that the Buccaneers had interest in Chippa’s Tebogo ‘Messi’ Tlolane and that the club was looking at possibly signing the player.

Read: Preparations Galore, Next Big Star For Bucs Identified? 

As reported at the time, in issue 1110 of Soccer Laduma, sources indicated that the Soweto giants would be likely to buy the star player from the Chilli Boys. 

“Pirates is very keen on Tebogo Tlolane and the issue of a possible move for him was in discussions in January. I think it might have been finalised now and don’t be surprised to see the boy leave Chippa for Pirates at the end of the season,” said the source at the time.

With the 2018/19 season now officially over, and with clubs advancing their preparations for the new season, indications from sources close to both Pirates and Chippa are that Tlolane will be on his way to the Soweto giants in the upcoming weeks.

“The boy has signed with Pirates. The player has been promised that an overseas move would be organised for him if he does well at Pirates. It’s just that I don’t have the documents in front of me to confirm all the details, but it's done,” confirmed the source.

Read: PSL Switch For Vukusic As Interest Pours In? 

Tlolane can play either as a left-back or as a winger. The 24-year-old has been with Chippa since prior to the beginning of the season, having joined the Port Elizabeth club from Jomo Cosmos in the NFD.

Tlolane started out in Buccaneers’ development system, with Yebo Yes United FC, before he was spotted by renowned Mzansi talent spotter Ephraim ‘Jomo’ Sono, who signed him in 2016 for Ezenkosi.