The former Golden Arrows left-back is set to boost coach Nasreddine Nabi’s backline
Bradley Cross is the latest defender to join Kaizer Chiefs with expectations high that he will live up to the billing.
Chiefs unveiled Cross on Tuesday after the defender signed a four-year contract, having left Golden Arrows, after the Soweto giants reportedly activated his R3 million buyout clause.
At 23, Cross, who is a left-back by trade but can also play in central defence, gives Amakhosi an opportunity to build a team around him even if he was not their first choice.
Chiefs were interested in Petro Atletico’s Anderson Cruz, Stellenbosch FC’s Fawaaz Basadien and Riaan Hanamub, who recently signed a new deal at AmaZulu, and with all three proving difficult, they turned their attention to Cross.
So, what can Kaizer Chiefs fans expect from their new signing?
Schooled in England & Germany
Cross spent two years at Premier League side Newcastle United where he played for the club’s U21s and U23s and even captained the sides.
The Kempton Park-born defender joined Newcastle’s Academy on a two-year deal in October 2020 and became a useful player for the club’s second-string side before he was released at the end of his contract.
Before his spell at Newcastle, Cross had spent time with Bundesliga side Schalke 04 where he played for their U19 side, coming after honing his skills at Mpumalanga Black Aces and the now defunct Bidvest Wits.
That was good grounding that prepared him for the next step in his career, being the South African top flight.
PSL experience
After leaving England, Cross returned home and joined Maritzburg United where he played briefly before a switch to Golden Arrows in 2023.
It is at Arrows where he made his name after becoming a regular and earned a call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad for matches against Benin and Rwanda last tear.
In the 2023-24 season, Cross made 24 appearances across all competitions, and his displays were deemed sufficient enough for Chiefs when they went in search of a left-back to improve coach Nasreddine Nabi’s defence.
Skillset
At 6 ft 0 in, Cross is big enough to handle any physical battle and he also does not back away from a physical challenge. His big size makes him good in the air while his tackling has been lauded.
Cross is primarily a left-back by trade but is also comfortable playing as a left-sided centre-back and is adept at playing out from the back.
He is blessed with an ability to bomb forward and act as an extra threat in attack, which makes him a great asset for coach Nabi, as he can be useful when in a back four or if he wants to play with three at the back.
What have they said?
Former Chiefs midfielder and coach Sergio dos Santos recently explained why the signing of Cross would be great for the club.
“He is solid, strong, and a good tackler. He is the type of player that, with his experience, having come from England and being involved with the Under-23s, he's a good player,” Dos Santos told KickOff.
“He must be somebody that knows what he is doing, especially when it comes to going forward, as Chiefs need those type of players, especially in the backline.
“I can't see why he shouldn't fit in there,” added Dos Santos while comparing Cross to another Chiefs legend Bradley Carnell.
“Bradley Carnell also came to Chiefs in the past and people were asking a lot of questions if he was a Chiefs type of player. Well, he became a Chiefs player.
“This player has got the experience from the technicalities of having played in England, so I don't see any problem with him.”
Kaizer Chiefs also feel the former South Africa U20 star will add quality while complementing what they already have in the squad.
“Bradley’s signing aligns with our strategic vision of continuing to strengthen our team and get ready compete when the season starts,” says Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr.
“We are confident that his addition will bring a new level of energy, international experience and skill to our squad. We look forward to seeing him in action and contributing to our success.”
Did you know?
Surprisingly, Chiefs had the chance to sign Cross much earlier when he trained with the club upon his return from England but former coach Arthur Zwane did not find him good enough.
