Lucas Ribeiro Leaves Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Lucas Ribeiro, the Brazilian attacker, has left Mamelodi Sundowns FC to join Tunisian football powerhouse Esperance Sportive de Tunis. The move was confirmed by Esperance in an official club statement, revealing that vice president Shakeri Al-Wa'ar had travelled to Libya to finalise the paperwork in person.
What Happened?
Ribeiro had initially signed with Libyan giants Al-Ittihad Tripoli after leaving his former club in Spain as a free agent this summer. However, his stay in Libya proved short-lived, and he reconsidered his options after coach Rulani Mokwena, who had been a key figure in recruiting him to the club, departed.
Why It Matters for Mamelodi Sundowns FC
The transfer is a significant blow to Mamelodi Sundowns FC, who had been linked with Ribeiro's return to the club. The Brazilian attacker had attracted interest from several African clubs after becoming a free agent, with his technical ability and experience in South African football making him an appealing target across the continent.
What Comes Next?
Ribeiro has signed a three-year contract with Esperance, and the transfer is structured as a swap deal, with French midfielder Jacques Diarra heading in the opposite direction to Al-Ittihad Tripoli as part of the arrangement. The move is expected to strengthen Esperance's squad ahead of the new season.
Esperance Statement Confirms Ribeiro's Deal
In their official announcement, Esperance described the negotiations as a joint effort between the two clubs. The Tunisian side confirmed that representatives from both teams had met to complete the necessary arrangements for the deal. Esperance said the meeting involved a delegation from the Tunisian club led by Shakeri Al-Wa’ar and representatives of the Libyan side headed by executive director Abdelmajid Saleh.
Bafana Star Leaves Sundowns for PSL Rivals
Briefly News also reported that a Bafana Bafana star has decided to leave Mamelodi Sundowns for the second season running for Premier Soccer League rivals. The South African international is one of the few players leaving the CAF Champions League champions this summer ahead of the 2026-27 season.
