Kaizer Chiefs are believed to have paid out a fee of R3 million for a player they had a chance to sign for free back in 2022.
Amakhosi’s search for a left-back has landed them the services of Bradley Cross from Golden Arrows, as announced by the Soweto giants on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old will be no stranger to the Kaizer Chiefs Village having undergone a brief assessment of the club two years ago.
Chiefs eventually opted against signing Cross and he would be snapped up by Maritzburg United, where he made 17 appearances that season.
Following the club’s relegation, he was signed by Abafana Bes’thende in a move that would see him identified by Bafana coach Hugo Broos as a possible long-term replacement for Aubrey Modiba, who turned 29 in July.
The move comes on the back of what has been a long search for a left-back at Chiefs following the exit of S’fiso Hlanti.
Attempts to convert Happy Mashiane from left winger to left-back have been futile, forcing the side to rely on right-footed Reeve Frosler to play on the left, a position he has rarely looked comfortable in.
Chiefs attempted to resolve the left-back dilemma with the signing of former Orlando Pirates man Bongani Sam.
However, the 26-year-old suffered an injury during the pre-season tour in Turkey, alongside another left-footed defender Edmilson Dove, making the signing of another left-back all the more important.
The Kempton Park-born star previously had stints with German side Schalke’s U19s, before featuring for English side Newcastle United’s Reserves.
Locally, Cross turned out for Bidvest Wits’ Reserves in 2018.
Cross, like Rushwin Dortley, is also versatile and can also play at centre-back in addition to his traditional left-back.
According to insiders, this is one of the major factors that convinced new head coach Nasreddine Nabi to give the move a thumbs up.
Cross’ move was done after completing his medical at the Village this week.
The side will kick off their Betway Premiership season with a clash against Marumo Gallants on 14 September at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
