Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has described Njabulo Blom’s sale to MLS side St Louis City as ‘bittersweet’.
While delighted for Blom and the opportunity for the 23-year-old to play abroad, Motaung Jr said it is no secret how much they valued the academy graduate.
Blom’s sale to St Louis, the new MLS club coached by Bradley Carnell, was announced by Chiefs earlier on Friday.
“It’s a bittersweet departure because I think it’s no secret to the Amakhosi faithful how highly we value Njabulo Blom. He is the epitome of what our Academy has been able to produce over the last couple of years,” Motaung Jr told the Chiefs website.
“This is part of the plan for us to unearth talent of international standard. More so, we want to ensure that we produce talent that can go out to explore opportunities abroad. From a personal point of view, it’s great to see a young man who grew up in the system now being afforded the opportunity to expand his horizons.
“It’s a great story given our past historical link with US football… Dr. Kaizer Motaung, our Executive Chairman, having played for Atlanta Chiefs and being named Rookie-of-the-Year in the NASL, opening that territory for us, and the inspiration he got from the American League to come back and form our team here.
“This one was a while in the making. I feel it’s a great time for Njabulo to go and exercise the next phase of his life. The opportunity came about, and it has been months in the working now, sorting out the nitty gritty of the deal.
“I think there was a bit of a divine touch because we were fortunate to interact with a great Sporting Director on that side, Lutz Pfannenstiel, who was formerly at Hoffenheim. He had the foresight to bring in Bradley Carnell as head coach for his St. Louis team, and having a former Kaizer Chiefs player who is experienced in the MLS, things fell into place very well and very timeously.
“We are very happy and excited to be part of Blom’s journey. I want to congratulate Blom on his achievement and wish him the best for the future.”
