Kaizer Chiefs have announced that they have sold Njabulo Blom to new Major League Soccer outfit St Louis City.
Chiefs and City both issued statements regarding the Bafana Bafana's international's transfer.
The Soweto-born player had less than seven months left on his contract with the Glamour Boys and he would have been free to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice from next month onwards.
Welcome to CITY, Njabulo Blom! ????
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) December 23, 2022
We have acquired the versatile 23-year old South African national team midfielder from @KaizerChiefs.
??https://t.co/VeHdCxfkdy pic.twitter.com/3FnoWumdn2
Contract renewal talks between Blom's camp and Chiefs had broken down, but the Soweto giants have now sold him to City before they lose him for free.
The talented player is set to travel to the USA where he will meet his new club teammates.
MLS will soon announce its fixtures for the 2023 season with the league expected to start in February.
Blom will be the third South African player in the MLS after Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United and FC Dallas' Tsiki Ntshabeleng.
Let’s go, Njabulo! ?? pic.twitter.com/A7zdMaVSHC
— St Louis CITY SC (@stlCITYsc) December 23, 2022
"St Louis City SC acquired Kaizer Chiefs FC midfielder Njabulo Blom, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa, via an undisclosed transfer fee, the club announced," a club statement read.
"Blom signed a two-year contract that runs through the end of the 2024 MLS regular season with two option years in 2025 and 2026."
It’s a bittersweet departure because I think it’s no secret to Amakhosi’s faithful how highly we value Njabulo Blom. He is the epitome of what our Academy has been able to produce over the last couple of years.”
“This is part of the plan for us to unearth talent of international standard. More so, we want to ensure that we produce talent that can go out to explore opportunities abroad.
“From a personal point of view, it’s great to see a young man who grew up in the system now being afforded the opportunity to expand his horizons,” said the club’s Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr.
“It’s a bittersweet departure because it’s no secret to Amakhosi faithful how highly we value Blom. He is the epitome of what our KCYDA has been able to produce over the last couple of years. This is part of the plan for us to unearth talent of international standard”- Kaizer Jr pic.twitter.com/l7dzGvZteu
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) December 23, 2022
Blom made 94 appearances for Amakhosi