Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng is on the verge of joining Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

The Buccaneers announced on Wednesday morning that they have reached a club-to-club agreement with Saint-Gilloise, who previously had South African forward Percy Tau in their books.

“While the two clubs have concluded negotiations over the transfer fee and structure of the deal, Orlando Pirates can confirm that the move remains subject to Mofokeng passing a medical examination and finalising personal terms with the Belgian Pro League side,” said Pirates.

“The Club can also reveal that an agreement in principle between Orlando Pirates and Union Saint-Gilloise was in fact reached before the start of the FIFA World Cup. Both parties made the joint decision to hold off on any public announcement until after the tournament, wanting Mofokeng to focus fully on the World Cup with Bafana Bafana without the distraction of transfer talk, and to allow the national team’s historic run to take centre stage.

“No further comment will be made at this time until the process between the player and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has been fully concluded.”

Meanwhile, Mofokeng has travelled from the United States of America to Belgium. He was in the USA with Bafana Bafana for the World Cup, and while the national team is expected in the country on Thursday morning, Mofokeng will not be part of the travelling party as he’s made the trip to Belgium.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has backed the 21-year-old to make it in Europe.

“I think it’s a good thing for him. I think he will progress. But I also think that you don’t have to expect that from the first day he will play because Rele has to be stronger. It’s a very tough competition in Belgium,” said Broos.

“So I think the first five, six months they will put him in fitness. He will get a little bit stronger. And then, yeah, he’s a talented player. So once you have the power that you need for such a competition, there will be no problem, I think.”