Busiest player movement ever
Over 160 transactions captured by deadline
The PSL has described the 2018 January transfer window as “fantastic” after it closed on Wednesday night.
This was without doubt the busiest mid-season window and probably the most interesting, with teams paying transfer fees. In the past, teams would mostly acquire players on loan in this window.
“It has been a fantastic transfer window. I say fantastic because of the activity and excitement,” said spokesman for the PSL Luxolo September.
“I think this has been a very different window … the clubs were trying to reinforce, because the league is competitive. It’s very tight, the margins are very small.”
In terms of numbers, there were 165 registrations – with 86 in the PSL and 79 in the NFD – but this could slightly increase because there were a few more players who were registered in the last few hours.
To further break it down, there were 19 loan deals and new registrations, which would include players from the clubs’ development structures – accounting for 41. Mamelodi Sundowns are in a rebuilding phase, so says head coach Pitso Mosimane.
With the likes of Jeremy Brockie, Aubrey Ngoma and Gaston Sirino coming in, Mosimane has players who are capable of hitting the ground running.
For years now, Chiefs have been criticised for their dealings in the transfer market, but manager Bobby Motaung has answered his critics by roping in reputable players such as Leonardo Castro, Siphelele Ntshangase and Kabelo Mahlasela. This has left the fans believing again.
Ajax, meanwhile, have done well to sign attacking players who could be key to their