Lorch finally secures permanent move away from Sundowns

Thembinkosi Lorch has finally sealed a permanent transfer away from Mamelodi Sundowns, ending months of speculation over his future.

Lorch spent the second half of last season away on loan at Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club and impressed both in the league and at the FIFA Club World Cup.

That firmed up the decision from Wydad to sign him permanently but it has taken time for them to reach an agreement with Sundowns over the transfer of the forward.

Now, according to SABC, Sundowns and Wydad have reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Lorch to the Casablanca-based club and he is now set to be announced anytime soon.

Lorch’s agent confirms imminent transfer

“Yes, it is true that there is an imminent move for Lorch to start another chapter in his career. But given the confidentiality of these matters, I cannot reveal where he is going – that is for the clubs to announce,” Lorch’s agent Steve Kapeluschnik told SABC Sport.

After a slow start at Wydad, then under his former Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, when he was slowly eased into the team, Lorch started producing and won his place in the team permanently, making it hard for the coach to drop him.

Since February 9, Lorch played each of Wydad’s 11 league games, starting the last eight and managed two goals, but his overall performances convinced the club that he is worth keeping.

How did the forward win Wydad’s trust?

By the time Wydad headed to the United States for the Club World Cup, Lorch had become undroppable and even the departure of Mokwena did not weaken his position as interim coach Amine Benhachem still trusted him.

What has made Lorch more prominent, however, is his performances at the Club World Cup, where he was Wydad’s best player at the tournament.

He was a shining light in Wydad’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City before he got his well-deserved goal in their 4-1 defeat to Juventus and even though the club exited at the group stage, he left with his stock high.

The former Orlando Pirates star is believed to have agreed a two-year deal with the Moroccan giants.