Former Bafana Bafana striker Benni “Magic Feet” McCarthy looks set to join Ajax Cape Town to resuscitate his soccer career
The Urban Warriors have opened up negotiations with McCarthy’s business McCarthy’s manager Rob Moore to join the Cape Town outside.
Ajax chief executive officer George Comitis has confirmed that they wanted McCarthy, who has been without a club after English Premiership side West Ham United released him.
In April this year, McCarthy left United by mutual agreement, with a £1.5million pay-off after agreeing to terminate his contract.
This was after the club complained about his weight. At some stage, United threatened to fine McCarthy a week's wages of £38,000 if he did not lose weight.
McCarthy’s much publicised weight problems also resulted in him being left out of Bafana Bafana after the 2010 Fifa World Cup squad.
The Cape Town-born all time Bafana Bafana top goal scorer started his professional soccer career at Seven Stars, which later merged with Cape Town Spurs to form Ajax.
He later went on to play for Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam in 1997 soon after impressing at the African Youth Championships in Morocco where South Africa won a silver medal.
The Dutch side sold McCarthy during the 1998–99 season sold to Spanish side Celta Vigo for a sum reported to be over €6m (five million Euros, which made him then the most expensive transfer for a South African player.
Subsequent to that, McCarthy moved to Porto in Portugal where he walked away with the Golden Boot award (with 20 goals in 23 games).
McCarthy was instrumental in Porto's superb run in 2004 of the league and UEFA Champions League, which they deservedly won.
He later joined the English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers in July 2006 on a four year contract worth £2.5m where he scored a total of 52 goals in 140 appearances.
Moore and McCarthy could not be reached for comment.
Benni McCarthy to return to the PSL?
Former Bafana Bafana striker Benni “Magic Feet” McCarthy looks set to join Ajax Cape Town to resuscitate his soccer career
The Urban Warriors have opened up negotiations with McCarthy’s business McCarthy’s manager Rob Moore to join the Cape Town outside.
Ajax chief executive officer George Comitis has confirmed that they wanted McCarthy, who has been without a club after English Premiership side West Ham United released him.
In April this year, McCarthy left United by mutual agreement, with a £1.5million pay-off after agreeing to terminate his contract.
This was after the club complained about his weight. At some stage, United threatened to fine McCarthy a week's wages of £38,000 if he did not lose weight.
McCarthy’s much publicised weight problems also resulted in him being left out of Bafana Bafana after the 2010 Fifa World Cup squad.
The Cape Town-born all time Bafana Bafana top goal scorer started his professional soccer career at Seven Stars, which later merged with Cape Town Spurs to form Ajax.
He later went on to play for Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam in 1997 soon after impressing at the African Youth Championships in Morocco where South Africa won a silver medal.
The Dutch side sold McCarthy during the 1998–99 season sold to Spanish side Celta Vigo for a sum reported to be over €6m (five million Euros, which made him then the most expensive transfer for a South African player.
Subsequent to that, McCarthy moved to Porto in Portugal where he walked away with the Golden Boot award (with 20 goals in 23 games).
McCarthy was instrumental in Porto's superb run in 2004 of the league and UEFA Champions League, which they deservedly won.
He later joined the English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers in July 2006 on a four year contract worth £2.5m where he scored a total of 52 goals in 140 appearances.
Moore and McCarthy could not be reached for comment.
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