Patrick Maswanganyi: Financial incentives that lured Pirates star to Bahrain

Patrick Maswanganyi’s move to Bahrain is set to see him benefit financially as the country’s financial policy will allow him to earn a tax-free salary.

Maswanganyi’s departure from Orlando Pirates was confirmed on Monday when the reigning Premier Soccer League champions stated that he has joined Bahrain Premier League side Alkhaldiya Sports Club.

According to football coach and analyst Grant de Smidt, Pirates might have found it too expensive to try and convince Maswanganyi to stay given what is normally offered to players in Bahrain.

 What Patrick Maswanganyi could earn

“The average crowd is 12,000 there and the salaries. This [salary] seems to be the big reason [for his transfer],” De Smidt stated on Soccer Beat, before elaborating on what Tito could be set to earn.

⚽️ Tito’s Expected Salary Range In Bahrain? ⚽️

This is how much Tito could POTENTIALLY earn at Alkhaldiya Sports Club in Bahrain! 💸⚽️🔥

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“There is no income tax there so whatever you earn you take home and the salary seems to be more like R250,000-R300,000 for the players.

“A year ago, Mamelodi Sundowns had a similar problem. They had [Khuliso] Mudau, he did not want to play, same as Tito this [past] weekend, he did not want to play in the [MTN8 semi-final] game.

Why Pirates found it hard to keep Tito

“What did they [Sundowns] do? They paid him more money and kept him happy and matched what was maybe offered abroad.

“So for Pirates to match what Bahrain are offering, they would probably have to offer R350,000-R400,000 because of the tax,” he added, explaining why it might have been difficult for the PSL champions to keep hold of the playmaker.

It is not known how much Maswanganyi was earning at Pirates but the allure of an increased and tax-free salary in Bahrain looks to have been too good to turn down for the 28-year-old, who made 120 appearances, scoring 28 goals and providing 21 assists, in his three years with the Buccaneers.