Orlando Pirates shock as star name the club hoped to keep makes move overseas

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maswanganyi-patrick/IHV1YJN5/"]Maswanganyi[/a] leaves [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-pirates/p4SF9EMI/"]Pirates[/a] after three seasons and is another blow to their creativity in midfield, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mofokeng-relebohile/hx20yWyp/"]Relebohile Mofokeng[/a] having departed for Belgian outfit [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/royale-union-sg/407h8Ird/"]Royale Union Saint-Gilloise[/a] in this transfer window.[/p][p]Maswanganyi was a fan favourite in Orlando, having arrived from SuperSport United in 2023 after being barely used there by coach Gavin Hunt.[/p][p]He also had a spell in Portugal with lower-league side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oliveirense/tA7VEKwU/"]Oliveirense[/a].[/p][p]The 28-year-old made 120 appearances during his time at Pirates, scoring 28 goals and providing 21 assists.[/p][p][b]“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Bahrain Premier League side Al-Khaldiya Sports Club for the transfer of Patrick Maswanganyi,” [/b]Pirates said in a statement.[/p][embed guid="a7fcdff9-a2de-4302-b806-7f8129991f60" url="https://x.com/orlandopirates/status/2091942525745410280?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]“Maswanganyi remained an important part of the technical team’s plans for the season. However, following discussions with the player and his representatives, he expressed a clear desire to pursue a new opportunity abroad.[/b][/p][p][b]“In recognition of his service to the Club and his ambitions for the next chapter of his career, Orlando Pirates agreed not to stand in his way. A transfer was subsequently concluded with Al-Khaldiya Sports Club.[/b][/p][p][b]“He departs as a league champion, a firm favourite among the supporters and a player who understood the responsibility of representing Orlando Pirates Football Club.”[/b][/p][infobox id="584d9683-f419-4696-8cb3-c155213092a0" /]