Downs contract hurdle in potential February move

Word reaching the Siya crew is that out-of-favour Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Jody February has a potential suitor in the lower leagues.

But chances of the former youth international joining Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit All Stars are slim at the moment, his Sundowns contract could complicate the transfer should he join them.

As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, the Brazilians do not count a player’s loan spell as service that year, meaning it gets frozen.

It is understood both All Stars and February were keen on getting the deal over the line, but without February having his contract terminated, it means he will still remain a Downs player for the full duration of the contract.

The former Ajax Cape Town goal minder initially put pen to paper on a five-year contract in 2019, but has spent the previous two years on loan at the now-defunct Cape Umoya United and then Swallows FC.

February’s camp did try to look for options for him at the start of the 2022/23 season after the Dube Birds did not keep him on their books, but as things stand, he remains a Downs player and still contracted for the long-term.

He has also fallen extremely down the pecking order of goalkeepers at Chloorkop with the arrival of Bafana Bafana first choice Ronwen Williams.

Denis Onyango, Kennedy Mweene and Reyaad Pieterse are also way ahead, so it’s unlikely February will get any minutes, which leaves the door open for a possible move in January. But only if there’s a compromise in his contract situation.