Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Katlego Mashego is now a 100 percent Buccaneer after SuperSport United agreed to off-load the forward to Orlando Pirates yesterday.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Bucs chairman Irvin Khoza and his counterpart at United, Khulu Sibiya.

Mashego signed a pre-season contract with Pirates this week and was supposed to officially board the Pirates ship at the end of the season.

But The Buccaneers were desperate to have him now to help them score goals in the second round of the Absa Premiership.

Pirates striker Excellent Walaza went the opposite direction, joining SuperSport on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The highly rated Mashego made his debut for Pirates, starting the match against Maritzburg United, at Johannesburg Stadium last night.

He was all smiles when he was introduced to the rest of his new teammates at a training session at the same venue on Tuesday night.

"We didn't want to keep a player whose heart is now with another team," said SuperSport publicist David Skosana. "He believed he had overstayed his welcome here, so we allowed him to play where his heart is now.

"We acknowledge the contribution he made at United and we wish him luck at Pirates."

Pirates executive administrator Floyd Mbele said: "Of course we are excited to have a player of his ilk. There is no doubt that he will add value in the team. He is a fantastic and hardworking player."