PSL Transfer News: Which Teams Deal With Orlando Pirates The Most?

The PSL transfer window continues to see players move between clubs. Deano van Rooyen is the latest player to have officially joined Orlando Pirates. The 2023 Carling Knockout Cup captain was nominated for the Defender of the Season award last season after stellar displays for Stellenbosch FC. He is only the 2nd player to join Pirates from Stellies, so it’s a rare move, but the question we are exploring is – which teams have dealt with Orlando Pirates the most?

Arrivals

Over the past decade, Orlando Pirates has been actively shaping it’s squad through strategic transfers from various South African clubs. While the club have won many Cup competitions in the last decade, they are still waiting for a first Premier League title since 2012. According to Transfermarkt, the top contributors to Orlando Pirates’ player roster have been Chippa United. Pirates and the Chilli Boys have a strong relationship, and the Gqeberha-based club has sold 15 players to the Buccaneers, the highest number among teams in the last decade. Most recently, the likes Sipho Chaine, Thabiso Lebitso, and Eva Nga have made the journey from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng.

Orlando Pirates Reserves has provided 13 players to the senior squad, highlighting the club’s commitment to developing talent from within it’s own ranks. Although now defunct, Bidvest Wits FC transferred 8 players to Orlando Pirates in the time they were in action, showcasing a strong connection that existed between the two clubs. Other notable contributors include SuperSport United (6 players), Maritzburg United FC (6 players), and Baroka FC (6 players). Other teams currently in the top-flight like Cape Town City (5), Royal AM (5), and Golden Arrows (4) have also traded often with the Buccaneers.

Departures

Chippa United again leads the way and seems to have a good relationship taking players back from Pirates when a move either does not work out or the contract of the player expires. At 37 players since the 2014/15 season, they take in more than double the nearest PSL club –  Lamontville Golden Arrows and Royal Eagles (14). Youngster Azola Matrose looks to be back on his way to Chippa United, further enhancing the relationship between the two clubs as he looks to revive his football career.

Orlando Pirates let go quite a few players over the age of 30 this off-season who had not played a lot of first-team football in 2023/24. The likes of Fortune Makaringe (31), Vincent Pule (32) Thabang Monare (34), Richard Ofori (30), Kermit Erasmus (34), and Siyabonga Mpontshane (38) all had to find new clubs. Makaring and Pule were taken in by Cape Town City FC and SuperSport United – both clubs who also are clubs on the list to have taken more ex-Pirates players in over the past 10 seasons.

Deano van Rooyen

No player won more tackles in the Premiership last season than Deano van Rooyen (57). He was also among the Top 5 defenders for duels (5th), possession won (4th) and passes into the final third (4th).

Van Rooyen will be competing with the likes of Bandile Shandu, Thabiso Lebitso, and Thabiso Monyane in the right-hand position at Pirates. Interestingly, Pirates have signed yet another captain from a PSL team, following in the footsteps of Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Makhehlene Makhaula.