MBABANE – Former Royal Leopard talisman Junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula has officially secured a move abroad, signing for DRC powerhouse AS Maniema Union.
The midfield maestro was formally unveiled by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) giants via their official Facebook page yesterday, marking his first international transfer since breaking into the MTN Premier League over six years ago.
Magagula has penned a three-year deal with the club, flying out from King Mswati III International Airport on Wednesday. Latest reports suggest his estimated salary will start at a minimum of US$1 500 (over E20 000) per month, excluding winning bonuses.
DRC-born, FIFA-accredited players’ agent Alimasi ‘Adebayor’ Saleh confirmed the transfer was complete, though he remained tight-lipped regarding the finer financial details. “I cannot go into the details of the deal,” Saleh said.
The breakthrough comes months after the African heavyweights refused to give up on securing the former Sihlangu star. The high-profile move had previously collapsed when the two clubs failed to agree terms, but the ‘Greens and Blacks’ reignited negotiations by tabling an offer exceeding E200 000 to Ingwemabalabala.
Maniema Union first registered their interest around November last year after locking horns with Royal Leopard in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. Their interest intensified following a tightly-contested second preliminary round, where Maniema Union narrowly edged Leopard 4–3 on penalties to advance to the group stages. Leopard had held an away-goal advantage following a 1–1 draw in the DRC, but a matching 1–1 score at the Somhlolo National Stadium forced the shoot-out.
Magagula follows in the footsteps of Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst and Green Mamba’s Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, both of whom featured for DR Congo giants AS Vita over five years ago.
The 31-year-old commands a market value of nearly E1 million according to Transfermarkt’s latest update last month. This a prominent football database renowned for tracking player statistics, transfer news and valuation estimates. By comparison, the portal rates Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as the world’s most valuable players at £220 million (€220 million), which equates to over E4.1billion at yesterday’s exchange rate.
The midfield engine room operator joins an expanding list of exports dominated by central players. Recent departures include the trio of Thubelihle Mavuso, Sizwe ‘Madumane’ Khumalo and Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, who joined Zimbabwean top-flight newcomers Hardrock FC .
Elsewhere, as clubs continue to bolster their squads ahead of the new campaign, Scottish Premiership giants Rangers have announced the signing of defender Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union. According to journalist Lorenz Köhler, the South Africa international has signed a reported four-year deal at Ibrox in a transfer worth E75 million.
