US Major League Soccer side, Chicago Fire FC, has announced the signing of South African defender, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, from Orlando Pirates, with head coach Gregg Berhalter expecting the 20-year-old Bafana Bafana star to make an immediate impact.
Mbokazi, who will occupy a U-22 initiative slot and an international roster position, has signed a contract running through 2029, with a club option for the 2029/30 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed in line with Club and MLS policy.
“We are excited to welcome Mbekezeli to the Club as we further strengthen our back line,” Berhalter said on the club’s official website. “In his young career, he has already shown high potential and proven himself to be a strong leader and competitor on the international level. We expect immediate impact and room to grow in future.”
Despite his upcoming move, Pirates confirmed that Mbokazi will remain with the South African side until the conclusion of their official 2025 fixtures, including Saturday’s Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants. “He will then embark on a new chapter of his football journey across the Atlantic, joining Chicago Fire as the next step in what promises to be an exceptional career,” the club said.
Mbokazi’s rise has been rapid. In his debut professional season, he helped Orlando Pirates lift the MTN8 trophy and earned a call-up to the national team. He made his senior debut for Bafana Bafana in May 2025 during a 2-0 victory over Mozambique and was included in FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, as well as in Hugo Broos’ final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.The Hluhluwe-born defender is expected to continue his upward trajectory as he prepares to test his skills in the competitive environment of Major League Soccer.
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