Transfer News: PSL Free Agents

A data deep-dive into some top free agent and what they can bring to the PSL. As the dust settles after EURO2024 and Copa America, the focus slowly turns toward club football. The start date for the new PSL season is yet to be confirmed, although early to mid-August is the norm. That said, the domestic transfer window is fully open, and players have started to move between clubs. Some players are somewhat stuck in limbo – having been released from their clubs, but still waiting to find a new home. We look at some numbers behind a few free agents and ponder what they could bring to their new clubs.

Keagan Dolly

At the end of last season, Keagan Dolly was the league leader for chances created (60) and looked to have settled in quite well at Chiefs. One would have expected him to kick on in 2023/24, but injuries meant that he played less than 400 minutes, compared to 1900 and 2100 minutes in his first two campaigns. Even with limited time, Dolly still managed 3.1 chances per 90 minutes this season, placing him joint-third in the league among players with at least five games.

Dolly’s radar from the 2022/23 season (where he played enough minutes to analyze) shows how he ranked highly in attacking (blue – shots, non-penalty goal contributions) and creative metrics (yellow-key passes, expected assists). He is still only 31 years old, and a new club would also benefit from Dolly’s experience, which has seen him shine at big clubs like Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, and also Ligue 1.

Augustine Chidi Kwem

Despite ending the season as the club’s top goalscorer, Chidi Kwem’s contract was not renewed at AmaZulu. The writing may have been on the wall given that he only started nine games last season and was mostly used as a substitute (14 sub appearances). But he showed how effective he was whenever he came on. A rate of 0.73 goals per 90 minutes is the third-best ratio among forwards in the league, better than Iqraam Rayners (0.56 goals per 90) Peter Shalulile (0.52 goals per 90) & Bradley Grobler (0.5 goals per 90).

His ratio of 124 minutes per goal is bettered only by Sanir Nurkovic (115 minutes per goal) and would equate to 22 goals if he played every minute of the season. Whether he maintains his output at another club is a deeper question, but the signs are there for a good forward. There is some work to be done on his shot conversion, with only one in five of his shots turning into a goal. The best strikers like Mabasa (28%) and Lucas Costa (29%) are much higher. With 100+ games in the PSL, his experience is another factor teams could consider. 

Gaston Sirino

Another top player who is currently clubless is Gaston Sirino. Rumors say that he has been offered to clubs like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and with his localization complete, he won’t be taking up a foreign spot at any club. The 33-year-old scored 28 goals in Cup competitions for Sundowns and has played over 50 games on the continent. A club involved in CAF competitions could extract great value in signing him.

Just last season, he was in the Top three for chance creation at Sundowns, averaging 2.2 chances per 90 minutes and 0.6 big chancers per 90 minutes. His touch map shows a player comfortable playing all across the frontline. That versatility, combined with his finishing abilities are a rare combination that teams could take a risk on.

Other free agents

Other free agents include Higo Vidal, Bongani Zungu, and Luvuyo Memela. Vidal has shown his talent in stops and starts at TS Galaxy. Still only 27 years old, he created the most chances at TS Galaxy last season (25), despite playing only 941 minutes. Yet, the Rockets have allowed him to return to his home country, Brazil. Bongani Zungu’s departure was announced by Sundowns a few weeks ago, but he is still to confirm his new home. Luvuyo Memela was one of 16 players announced to have left Chippa United and would be joining his 5th club in five seasons should he secure a new deal elsewhere.