JUMPINGSHIP

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PULLED OFF ONE OF THE SHOCK MOVES IN MANY A SEASON WHEN THEY SIGNED THEMBINKOSI LORCH FROM ORLANDO PIRATES IN JANUARY

- Mazola Molefe

What looked to be a quiet shift at the Premier Soccer League offices for new registrations on transfer deadline day ended up with one of the biggest ever moves between local rivals in January.

Thembinkosi Lorch left Orlando Pirates to join Mamelodi Sundowns, with the video of his unveiling showing signs of just how late the deal was concluded the attacker needed plenty of lights to dress up for the evening shoot.

Reports had suggested Lorch was in the final six months of his contract with the Buccaneers, although this was always speculation given his club had never officially announced the length of his term.

It also emerged that Pirates were prepared to offer Lorch a new deal to keep him on board for much longer, so the surprise announcement means that he either turned it down or it was retracted when it became clear he was contemplating joining Sundowns.