Orlando Pirates transfer news: Veteran defender handed new deal

Orlando Pirates have rewarded veteran defender Happy Jele a one-year contract extension, meaning he will stay until the end of the 2022-23 season.

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Jele was expected to stay at Pirates given his contribution to the club over past 16 years even though he’s in the twilight of his career.

The 35-year-old is considered one of the very few players who understands the Pirates culture in the current squad.

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Jele will also be expected to play a huge role in guiding and helping the new players to settle at Pirates ahead of the upcoming season.

HAPPY JELE: ORLANDO PIRATES’ LONGEST SERVING SQUAD MEMBER

Jele arrived at Pirates as a teenager from Walter Stars in 2006 – he has now been with the Soweto giants for 16 uninterrupted years.

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At the end of his contract in June 2023, Jele would have completed 17 years as a Pirates player.

Reports already suggest that Jele will be given a different role at Pirates whenever he decides to hang up his boots.

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