Puso Dithejane: Millions ex-Kaizer Chiefs star will earn at MLS club

Chicago Fire insider Alex Calabrese has revealed the salary range of winger Puso Dithejane, who signed for the MLS club this month.

Dithejane ditched TS Galaxy for Chicago Fire, joining Mbekezeli Mbokazi at the club, after the Rockets rejected a bid from Mamelodi Sundowns for the highly-rated 21-year-old.

The former Kaizer Chiefs winger was one of the most in demand players in the January transfer window but clubs in South Africa lost the battle when the MLS side submitted their offer.

How much will Dithejane be earning in MLS?

Just like Mbokazi, Dithejane was signed under the MLS U-22 Initiative, occupying an international roster slot.

“In terms of the contract, it is probably on the lower end of the U-22 spectrum,” Calabrese told SoccerBeat. “So my guess would be about annually $300,000 (R4.9 million)-$500,000 (R8.2 million), still pretty good pay probably higher than he is earning at TS Galaxy.”

Blessed with pace, intelligence and a great finishing ability, Dithejane can play on both wings and has scored four goals and added six assists in 15 games for Galaxy this season before moving to America.

Chicago Fire has faith in ex-TS Galaxy star

Chicago Fire coach Gregg Berhalter said the club had been tracking the winger for some time and are convinced he has all the qualities needed to succeed in the MLS.

“We’ve been scouting him for a while, and he’s of the most highly regarded talents in South Africa right now,” Berhalter told MIR97 Media as quoted by Flashscore.

“He’s a very dynamic winger, he can change the game. He’s a young player who needs development, but a really great attitude on the pitch, really good speed and one-on-one ability. He has a lot of attributes that make him an exciting winger, and that’s what we wanted to add.”