Orlando Pirates have confirmed that rising star Relebohile Mofokeng is on the brink of a move to Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, with only a medical and personal terms standing between the teenager and his first European contract.

The Buccaneers announced that a full agreement has been reached with the Belgian Pro League side over the transfer fee and structure of the deal. The club stressed that the move is not yet final, but all major negotiations between the two teams have been concluded.

In a carefully worded statement, Pirates revealed that the foundations of the transfer were laid long before Mofokeng’s recent exploits on the global stage. An agreement in principle with Union Saint-Gilloise was reached prior to the FIFA World Cup, but both clubs chose to keep the talks under wraps.

That decision, Pirates explained, was taken to shield the young playmaker from the distractions of speculation and to ensure that Bafana Bafana’s campaign remained the primary focus. The club said they wanted Mofokeng to concentrate fully on his national team duties and allow South Africa’s historic run at the tournament to dominate the headlines.

Mofokeng’s performances for Bafana Bafana, though limited in minutes, drew praise for his composure and creativity. National team coach Hugo Broos, who hails from Belgium, welcomed the prospect of the youngster moving to his home country but cautioned that the step up in physicality will be significant.

Broos noted that the Belgian top flight is an intense, physically demanding competition and predicted that Mofokeng’s first months in Europe will be focused heavily on strength and conditioning. He described the midfielder as a gifted talent who, once physically ready, should have no difficulty adapting to the level required.

For Pirates, the impending transfer underlines both the success of their development structures and the growing reputation of South African talent in Europe. Mofokeng’s move follows a familiar pathway for ambitious local players seeking to test themselves in one of the continent’s most competitive leagues.

The Soweto giants concluded their statement by confirming that they will not provide further updates until the medical and contractual details are finalised, leaving supporters to await official confirmation of one of the most closely watched transfers involving a South African player this year.