Orlando Pirates have once again done the unthinkable, as they have confirmed the surprise signing of midfielder Sipho Mbule on a free transfer on Tuesday.
Mbule joins the Buccaneers on a free transfer after parting ways with reigning Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 27-year-old midfield maestro is the second signing of the club after Pirates confirmed coach Abdeslam Ouaddou as the official successor of Jose Riveiro.
“Orlando Pirates is pleased to welcome Sipho Mbule to the club,” Pirates said in a post on social media.
Mbule had an exciting first half of Betway Premiership last season on loan at Sekhukhune United from Sundowns.
He even caught the attention of national team coach Hugo Broos and was named in one of Bafana Bafana’s his preliminary squad.
However, things went sour for the dribbling wizard after rumours of arriving at training under the influence of alcohol surfaced on social media.
He was sidelined for the duration of the season by Babina Noko for off-the-field shenanigans and became a free agent after Sundowns opted not to trigger the one-year option on his contract.
Master Chef, as Mbule is nicknamed, is expected to bring his creativity, flair and flamboyance in the already talented Pirates midfield.
He is expected to compete for a spot in Ouaddou’s starting lineup against the likes of Kabelo Dlamini and Patrick Maswanganyi, amongst others, in the number 10 position.
The Buccaneers are expected to announce more signings in the coming days ahead of their pre-season tour in Spain next month.
Pirates’ opener on their Spanish tour is against English third-tier side Bolton Wanderers on 11 July.
They will take on Cypriot side Pafos FC two days later, before a clash with Spanish outfit Las Palmas from the Canary Islands on 17 July. They play in the second-tier.
They will also take on Spanish second-tier side Granada in a final fixture on 19 July.
Meanwhile, Bucs also unveiled their 2025/26 home and away kit on Tuesday.
