Why Lorch wanted to move…

It’s been the most talked-about move in a long time and it’s hardly a surprise. Thembinkosi Lorch has made the move to Mamelodi Sundowns from Orlando Pirmany ates, leaving of the Bucs supporters stunned, but the Siya crew understands that a departure has been long comfor ing the 30-year-old, who is believed to have been looking for a new challenge in his career. Soccer Laduma investigates. What the Siya crew has been told…

It was arguably the biggest signing of the January transfer window, but it did not come without any drama behind the scenes, this publication has been led to believe. Thembinkosi Lorch made the big move from Orlando Pirates to Mamelodi Sundowns on the last day of the January transfer window last Friday, news that sent shockwaves throughout the football fraternity, even if it was a well-known fact that the player had been itching for greener pastures for a while now. According to insiders, the dribbling wizard has been looking for a new challenge and a fresh start in his career and was enticed by joining a Brazilians side that is challenging for major honours on all fronts. Indications are that the Soweto giants were determined to hold on to the player, but when it was clear that he would not sign a new deal in Houghton, the club did not even want to wait until the end of the season to keep him. They decided it would be best to cash in on their star player rather than hold onto him with no guarantee that he would perform at a top level for the rest of the season. It’s believed that the move to Chloorkop did not go down well with chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, as per a Sunday newspaper report, as he rates Lorch highly and wanted to have him on board for a longer period. But signs were clear that the former Chippa United man wanted to make a move and the best option was to let him go to ensure the dressing room remains undisturbed. Lorch’s time at Bucs, as Soccer Laduma has been informed, has not always been a smooth one. After winning the 2018/19 Player of the Season accolade, he attracted interest from Europe, believed to be in both France and Belgium. At the time, the creative player was hot property and there were serious offers on the table, but Pirates were not satisfied with what they had received from the clubs in Europe. It’s understood that Lorch wanted to make a move abroad and was disappointed that it did not happen at the time. His form dropped as a result and injuries came into play, as the interest from abroad died down. Recently, the player has not showered himself in glory with the court case he had recently for alleged assault. The club was stern in the way they handled the situation, setting an example that they would not tolerate any form of gender-based violence, even if it’s one of their star players. He was suspended from club activities for a considerable time, only returning to the training pitch in the second week of December last year.

The Siya crew has been told that Rhulani Mokwena identified Lorch as a player who can come in as one of the main sources of creativity at the Tshwane giants. The two worked together at Pirates and the young tactician has always rated him highly. It’s understood that Downs’ interest in the player came before the opening of the January transfer window and they upped the ante to ensure they get him on board as soon as possible. While the Siya crew does not have the exact figures, it’s believed that the club had put more on the table for Lorch and, at age 30, it felt like the right time to make the move. His contract with the Buccaneers was due to expire at the end of the season and he jumped at the opportunity to join the Brazilians, as he was enticed by a new challenge and the possibility of becoming a league champion for the first time in his career.