Maluleka turns down fresh Chiefs offer, agrees pre-contract with Sundowns

Cape Town - George Maluleka has agreed on a pre-contract with Mamelodi Sundowns after turning down Kaizer Chiefs' offer of a new and improved deal.

The 31-year-old has been free to discuss terms with interested clubs since the turn of the year, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the Premiership campaign.

Amakhosi did try to die down the Tembisa-born star to a new contract but negotiations did not reach a satisfactory conclusion for both parties.

The club issued a statement on their official website, explaining the sequence of events that led to Maluleka spurning their offer in favour of a switch to Pitso Mosimane's Sundowns.

"The contract talks between Kaizer Chiefs and midfielder George 'Mido' Maluleka have reached an unexpected ending," the statement read.

"Kaizer Chiefs offered the 31-year-old a two-year contract extension + one-year option to renew on his current contract, but he turned it down.

"Following a string of negotiations, the player himself revealed to the club that he has signed a pre-contract with Mamelodi Sundowns.

"Notably, Mamelodi Sundowns have not informed Chiefs about their engagements with George Maluleka as protocol dictates."

Maluleka has featured regularly under the guidance of head coach Ernst Middendorp this season, making 24 appearances in all competitions, providing five assists in the process.

He joined the Soweto giants from SuperSport United in 2014 and also counts Ajax Cape Town and Pretoria University amongst his former clubs.

- TEAMtalk media