Kaizer Chiefs have begun their pre-season tour of the Netherlands without club captain Yusuf Maart, fuelling intense speculation about his immediate future. While the rest of the squad departed for Amsterdam on Thursday night, Maart remained in South Africa, not due to injury, but because a transfer abroad appears to be imminent.
Contract extension overshadowed by transfer talks
Despite signing a fresh contract with Amakhosi recently, Maart stayed behind as his teammates touched down in Apeldoorn on Friday morning. Chiefs will base themselves in the Dutch city, about 80 kilometres outside of Amsterdam, until 19 July as they ramp up preparations for the new Premiership campaign.
The two-week camp will see the Glamour Boys test themselves against five top-level Dutch sides from both the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie. Yet the absence of Maart, a key figure in the midfield, has quickly become the dominant talking point.
Austrian club close to snatching Maart
A source indicated that Austrian Bundesliga newcomers SV Ried are on the verge of finalising a deal for the 29-year-old midfielder. Although Maart is still in South Africa, he is awaiting a work visa, the final step before sealing the move.
“It appears that the two clubs have reached an agreement, but the 29-year-old player is still awaiting the issuance of his visa.”
The timing raises eyebrows, especially considering Maart’s recent contract renewal. However, the allure of European football and a fresh challenge seems to have tipped the scales.
SV Ried offer Euro gateway for Chiefs captain
SV Ried, newly promoted to Austria’s top tier, now look set to become Maart’s next destination. The club already boasts South African winger Antonio Van Wyk and continues to build a competitive squad for the upcoming campaign.
Maart joined Kaizer Chiefs from Sekhukhune United in July 2022, inking a three-year deal. That initial contract expired at the end of June, but he had just renewed terms, a move now seemingly part of a well-managed exit strategy.
Will the Kaizer Chiefs captain Maart do well at SV Ried?
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