Mamelodi Sundowns FC have confirmed the departure of Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho with immediate effect. The 27-year-old leaves the Pretoria club after just one season, opening up a valuable foreign player slot in coach Miguel Cardoso's squad.
Reisinho made 14 competitive appearances for the Brazilians, contributing two goals and one assist. His exit comes as Sundowns hold second place in the Premier Soccer League, having taken 10 points from their first four matches with a record of three wins and one draw. The team's recent form reads WWDW, and they have scored 11 goals while conceding five for a healthy +6 goal difference.
What did Miguel Reisinho contribute at Sundowns?
Miguel Reisinho joined Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the previous campaign. His 14 appearances across all competitions were a mix of starts and substitute roles. The midfielder found the net twice and set up one other goal during his time at Chloorkop. His departure now allows the club's management to reassess their options in a key area of the pitch. You can view the current midfield options on the club's official squad page.
How does this affect the squad's composition?
Reisinho's exit has a direct impact on the squad's foreign player quota. Premier Soccer League rules limit the number of non-South African players a club can register, so freeing up a slot is significant. It provides coach Miguel Cardoso with increased flexibility as he looks to shape his team. The squad already features foreign talents like Chilean winger Marcelo Allende, Brazilian forward Arthur Sales, and Portuguese attacker Nuno Santos. Further exits from the Tshwane club are reportedly being considered, suggesting more movement could follow before the transfer window closes.
What is the latest on Thato Sibiya's future?
While one player departs, another key asset has been secured for the long term. Mamelodi Sundowns confirmed this week that young defender Thato Sibiya has signed a long-term contract extension. The 20-year-old is currently gaining valuable experience on a season-long loan at French Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille. The French club retains an option to make the move permanent. However, any such deal would require them to trigger a buy-out clause included in Sibiya's new Sundowns contract. This structure protects the club's interest in a highly promising player.
What comes next for Mamelodi Sundowns?
The immediate focus for Sundowns is maintaining their strong early-season form. Sitting second in the standings with 10 points, the team has built a solid platform. The management will now weigh how best to utilise the squad space created by Reisinho's departure. Balancing the development of young talents like Sibiya, who is tracked on our stats page, with immediate first-team needs is an ongoing process. These squad decisions are made with the full Premier Soccer League season in mind, as the club aims to challenge on all fronts.
