Before officially signing with Kaizer Chiefs, Durban-born talent Ethan Chislett was a highly sought-after player, with interest extending from South Africa's top clubs to the Scottish Premier League.
Renowned football agent Mike Makaab recently disclosed that Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, two of the Betway Premiership's powerhouses, were actively pursuing the 26-year-old midfielder.
Adding to the competition, Makaab also revealed that Motherwell FC from the Scottish Premier League had expressed significant interest in securing Chislett's services.
Despite the multiple suitors, Chislett ultimately put pen to paper on a two-year deal with an option to extend at Naturena.
Having spent the last decade honing his professional career in England, the decision to return to Mzansi was a personal one for Chislett, whose father, Donovan, had a notable career in the Premier Soccer League.
Chislett viewed Kaizer Chiefs as the ideal destination to not only further his career but also to reconnect with his roots, indicating that the allure of playing for the Soweto giants in his home country outweighed offers from elsewhere.
TWO PSL CLUBS AND ONE IN EUROPE WERE INTERESTED IN CHISLETT
“With Chislett, don’t believe for one moment that there was only one club interested in his services,” Makaab told Simtho Dladla on Gagasi FM.
“We had a written offer from Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League, a really serious offer. Ethan Chislett’s heart was settled on coming back to South Africa and his first preference was Kaizer Chiefs.
“And as we talk now, I’m hoping that the Is are being dotted and the Ts are being crossed because I think we’re going to see a very exciting football player back in this country.
“The exciting part about it as well is that he is South African-born and his father played for Manning Rangers and I represented his father – Donovan is a totally different player.
“We had a little bit of fun with his dad and I said I don’t know where Ethan got his skills from because Donovan was strong, hard-running full-back, Ethan has a lot more skills than his dad.
“By the way, I’ve got a very good relationship with Kaizer Chiefs. I was there when Ethan arrived…
“I could’ve taken Ethan Chislett to Pirates, there was also interest. Honestly, there was,” he added.
“There was interest from Mamelodi Sundowns as well. So there was a lot of interest in Ethan Chislett. Truth to be told, we felt, Ethan felt that the best fit for him, his career and the place that he believes he’s got the biggest chance to be recognised – his hope is to do well enough to be recognised as interesting footballer by the national team. All of these things play a part.”
