JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Kaizer Chiefs confirmed on Monday, 7 September 2026, that the club and midfielder Thabo Cele had ended his contract by mutual agreement. The decision closes an 18-month spell in which the South African international played 36 matches in domestic and CAF competitions and won the Nedbank Cup.
The announcement makes Cele available to pursue another club. Chiefs did not disclose a financial settlement, identify his next destination or say that he had signed elsewhere.
Has Thabo Cele left Kaizer Chiefs? Yes. Kaizer Chiefs confirmed on 7 September 2026 that the club and Cele mutually terminated his contract. The midfielder leaves after 36 appearances and a Nedbank Cup win. No new club or contract terms had been announced when this report was updated.
Chiefs confirms a mutual departure
The official Kaizer Chiefs statement says the decision followed discussions between the two parties. The club framed the separation as an opportunity for Cele to seek a new challenge while Chiefs continues reshaping its squad for the 2026/27 season.
That wording is important. Cele was not announced as having been transferred to another team, and the club did not describe the move as a sale. A mutual termination means the existing agreement has ended with both parties' consent. Until a new employer announces him, reports linking the midfielder to a particular team remain speculation.
FARPost reported that Cele leaves as a free agent. Its account also notes that injuries reduced his playing time during the previous season, although Chiefs did not give selection or medical reasons for the termination in its statement.
An 18-month spell ended with 36 appearances
Cele joined Chiefs in January 2025 after building much of his senior career in Europe. He made his Chiefs debut in a Soweto Derby the following month and went on to play 36 times across domestic and continental competitions, according to the club.
His most important team achievement at Naturena came in the 2025 Nedbank Cup. Chiefs credited Cele as part of the squad that lifted the trophy four months after his arrival. The cup victory gave his short spell a significant place in the club's recent history even though he did not complete the 2026/27 campaign.
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Thabo Cele Leaves Kaizer Chiefs After Contract Ends
Sep 8, 2026
Sep 8, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Kaizer Chiefs confirmed on Monday, 7 September 2026, that the club and midfielder Thabo Cele had ended his contract by mutual agreement. The decision closes an 18-month spell in which the South African international played 36 matches in domestic and CAF competitions and won the Nedbank Cup.
The announcement makes Cele available to pursue another club. Chiefs did not disclose a financial settlement, identify his next destination or say that he had signed elsewhere.
Has Thabo Cele left Kaizer Chiefs? Yes. Kaizer Chiefs confirmed on 7 September 2026 that the club and Cele mutually terminated his contract. The midfielder leaves after 36 appearances and a Nedbank Cup win. No new club or contract terms had been announced when this report was updated.
Chiefs confirms a mutual departure
The official Kaizer Chiefs statement says the decision followed discussions between the two parties. The club framed the separation as an opportunity for Cele to seek a new challenge while Chiefs continues reshaping its squad for the 2026/27 season.
That wording is important. Cele was not announced as having been transferred to another team, and the club did not describe the move as a sale. A mutual termination means the existing agreement has ended with both parties' consent. Until a new employer announces him, reports linking the midfielder to a particular team remain speculation.
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FARPost reported that Cele leaves as a free agent. Its account also notes that injuries reduced his playing time during the previous season, although Chiefs did not give selection or medical reasons for the termination in its statement.
An 18-month spell ended with 36 appearances
Cele joined Chiefs in January 2025 after building much of his senior career in Europe. He made his Chiefs debut in a Soweto Derby the following month and went on to play 36 times across domestic and continental competitions, according to the club.
His most important team achievement at Naturena came in the 2025 Nedbank Cup. Chiefs credited Cele as part of the squad that lifted the trophy four months after his arrival. The cup victory gave his short spell a significant place in the club's recent history even though he did not complete the 2026/27 campaign.
Independent coverage from the Sunday Tribune and FARPost matches the core details of the club announcement: the agreement ended mutually, Cele made 36 appearances and he won the Nedbank Cup.
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Cele's international and Olympic background
Cele was born in KwaMashu and represented South Africa before arriving at Chiefs. The International Olympic Committee athlete record lists him as a South African footballer who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and records 1997 as his birth year.
He also formed part of Bafana Bafana squads during his career. The South African Football Association included him in its player material for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Those national-team and Olympic credentials help explain why his departure has attracted attention beyond Chiefs supporters.
Before returning to South Africa, Cele gained experience in Portugal, Poland and Russia. That overseas background gives him options, but there is no verified basis yet for naming a preferred league or next club.
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What happens next
The immediate question is whether Cele joins another South African side or returns abroad. Because his Chiefs contract has ended, another club would not need to negotiate a transfer fee with Chiefs, although any registration must still comply with the relevant league and transfer-window rules.
For Chiefs, the move is another part of the squad changes being made for the 2026/27 season. The club's announcement did not name a direct replacement or specify whether another midfielder will be signed.
The next reliable update should come from Cele, his representative, a receiving club or a league registration. Until then, his confirmed status is straightforward: he has left Kaizer Chiefs by mutual agreement and is free to pursue a new opportunity.
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