What led to Ekstein’s Chiefs exit and what’s next…

Ekstein wanted R100k…

Hendrick ‘ Pule’ Ekstein was released from his contract with Kaizer Chiefs last week, just over two months before his existing deal with the Soweto giants was set to expire.

After prolonged negotiations for a new contract, the player’s camp and the club could not reach mutual consent on financial terms.

Following the Siya crew’s breaking news last week Wednesday, Chiefs announced on Thursday that the Bekkersdal-born player had been released.

“Yes, it is a matter of work in progress at Chiefs. When we sign players we do so with the best of intentions. Bringing any player at Chiefs is with a view for a successful partnership. But sometimes things don’t work as planned. I wish the players all of the best going forward in their new endeavors,” Chiefs football manager, Bobby Motaung, said in confirming the news on the club’s official website.

Having started his senior career at Amakhosi more than five years ago, following his promotion from the club’s development system in October of 2013, indications are that Ekstein was expecting an improved contract in line with what a senior player at the club earns.

Having won both the Absa Premiership title and the MTN8 while at the club, and establishing himself as a fan favourite, the player’s camp believe that he had done enough to prove his worth at the club.

According to Siya sources, Ekstein was still on the same contract that he signed when he was promoted from the development structures, and according to the information received by the Siya crew, he was earning under R40 000 a month.

The 28-year-old’s contract would have expired on June 30, and it is believed that the club wanted to tie him down on a new contract, offering around R50 000 a month.

“The player wasn’t happy with what he was offered by the club. He was hoping for a monthly salary of more than R50 000 in his next deal. He was hoping for somewhere up to R100 000 or more. He is moving on and already there are clubs enquiring about his services,” said the source.

It is believed that the player r was looking to secure a deal of around R100 000 a month, a figure believed to be fair considering that some of the team’s senior players are earning well over R300 000 a month.