After just 37 games for Orlando Pirates, centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi is on the brink of leaving the club.

The 20-year-old has travelled to the United States of America (USA) to conclude a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire.

According to supersport.com, the Bafana Bafana player is in the USA to discuss personal terms, after a club-to-club agreement was reached between the two clubs.

Mbokazi is only in his second season with the Buccaneers’ first team. However, Chicago Fire has come knocking and agreed to a $3 million (R52 million) deal for the talented defender.

Mbokazi, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, is one of South Africa’s rising stars and is touted as a future Bafana Bafana captain.

He has captained Pirates on many occasions, and his international career is off to a great start with five Bafana Bafana caps to his name. He made his senior international debut in a friendly against Mozambique in June this year.

MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI FACT FILE

Born: 19 September, 2005
Place of Birth: Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Position: Centre-Back/Left-Back
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 5
National team debut: v Mozambique, International Friendly, 10 June, 2025
Last game played: v Zambia, International Friendly, 15 November, 2025.