Brayan Leon: Sundowns’ R51 million signing reveals what has surprised him about PSL

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Brayan Leon: Sundowns’ R51 million signing reveals what has surprised him about PSL

Mamelodi Sundowns’ new signing Brayan Leon has been taken aback by the levels of South African football following his debut on Monday.

Leon, who arrived following a reported total package of $3.5 million (R51 million), made his debut for the club when he came on in the second half during Sundowns’ 2-0 win over Orbit College in the PSL on Monday.

The Colombian striker made an instant impact as he scored the second goal, showing why Sundowns splashed the huge sum on him.

Leon says he noticed two things that make the South African league stand out, the technical and physical aspects of the game.

What has stood up for Leon in Mzansi?

“It is really a good adaptation to start with a goal and not to lose and that is all that is important,” Leon told the club’s media.

“Here in South Africa, I think football is technical. That is what I have seen most here and I think the tournament [PSL] is very physical.”

Reflecting on his debut goal, the 25-year-old says it gave him confidence and now feels more goals are coming as he looks to fire Sundowns to PSL and CAF Champions League glory.

“The fruits of the strikers is scoring goals, I think that is important. To arrive and score. I think that [debut goal] is the beginning of what is to come later on,” he added.

Colombian forward faces stiff competition

Brayan Leon celebrates a goal for Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo Mamelodi Sundowns

Leon has added firepower to a Sundowns attack already loaded with top forwards in Iqraam Rayners, Peter Shalulile and Lebo Mothiba.

In 2025, Leon had 20-goal contributions in 40 games, having scored 13 goals while weighing in with seven assists for Colombian side Independiente Medellin.

His talents were also on show during Independiente Medellín’s run to the Copa Sudamericana (equivalent of CAF Confederation Cup) quarter-final in 2024, when he scored six goals and provided three assists.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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