Kaizer Chiefs are poised to receive a financial benefit from Puso
Dithejane’s high-profile transfer to Major League Soccer side Chicago
Fire, thanks to FIFA’s solidarity mechanism.
The 21-year-old attacker was officially unveiled by the American club this
week, concluding a saga that left Chiefs disappointed after unsuccessful
last-minute attempts to lure him back to Naturena.
As per FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, five
percent of any international transfer fee must be redistributed to all
clubs that contributed to a player’s development between the ages of 12
and 23. This follows the same principle applied in the recent transfer of
Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire.
While the exact fee for Dithejane remains undisclosed—unlike the reported
R51 million for Mbokazi—the long-term deal runs until 2030, with an option
for an additional season.
The solidarity payments are calculated based on a player’s development
path:
- 0.25% is allocated for each year of training between ages 12 and 15.
- 0.5% is awarded for each year of training between ages 16 and 23.
Dithejane was developed at the famed School of Excellence from a young
age, positioning the academy to receive the largest share of the
solidarity payout.
The player joined the Kaizer Chiefs academy in 2021 as a 17-year-old,
spending two years there before his move to TS Galaxy. Based on the
distribution model, Chiefs are in line to receive approximately 1% of the
total transfer fee.
TS Galaxy, his most recent South African club, is also expected to receive
at least 1.5% through the solidarity mechanism. This payment is separate
from the primary transfer fee The Rockets negotiated directly with Chicago
Fire.
