Chicago Fire insider reveals millions Mbekezeli Mbokazi will be earning at MLS club

A Chicago Fire insider has revealed the bumper pay that Mbekezeli Mbokazi will earn at the MLS club following his transfer last month.

Mbokazi is set to begin a new chapter of his career in the United States of America after swapping Johannesburg for Chicago, having left Orlando Pirates in a deal reported to be worth $3 million (R51 million) in transfer fees.

The 20-year-old defender has since linked up with his team ahead of next week’s pre-season camp in California, which will see them feature in a mini-tournament, as they prepare for the 2026 MLS season.

How much will Mbokazi be earning in MLS?

As he begins to familiarise himself with his new surroundings, Chicago Fire insider Alex Calabrese has revealed the salary range of the young defender who was signed under the MLS U-22 Initiative, occupying an international roster slot.

“Per year, the bracket is roughly in the $600,000-$1.2 million (R9.8 million-R19.7 million),” Calabrese told SoccerBeat.

“It can be a little over a little less but let’s say $80,000-$90,000 (R1.3 million-R1.47 million) a month if I do some little mental math that is what we are talking about.

Defender has enjoyed a meteoric rise

“I don’t know how that is relative to the South African league but for a U-22, that usually amounts to the sixth or eight highest paid player on the MLS roster, which for a young centre-back, is quite extra-ordinary in the MLS.”

Mbokazi linked up with Chicago Fire after starring for Bafana Bafana at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations where they reached the Round of 16.

The young centre-back sealed a deal overseas after just 39 games for Pirates, having made his senior debut for the club early last year.