With one year remaining on his contract, Orlando Pirates are reportedly set to exercise another one-year option for their goalkeeper, according to insiders privy to information.
Siya sources close to both Melusi Buthelezi and Bucs have indicated that the former TS Galaxy number one is expected to remain at the club until at least June 2027.
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"Yes, the club is just making sure that they keep him longer and that everything is in order and that's why they are believed to be exercising the one-year option on his contract. Of course it is only expiring in June 2026 but they are apparently just making sure that he is contracted until June 2027 hence the move right now," the Siya source stated.A second insider stated that Buthelezi is currently the direct replacement for first-choice goalkeeper Sipho Chaine in case of injury or suspension, which is another reason for securing his services.
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"There are other young goalkeepers at the club but in terms of experience and growth, him and Sipho (Chaine) are better off and that's why the club has made sure they exercise the one-year option at the moment rather than wait for a later time. It's normally for teams to do that if they want to protect themselves and the future of their player," the second source revealed.
Currently, Pirates have around five goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine, Buthelezi himself, Sphamandla Gumede, Siyabonga Dladla and Ethan Visagie.
Soccer Laduma contacted Buthelezi's agent, Basia Michaels and his club Pirates, but received no response at the time of preparing this report.
