Chicago Fire FC signs Orlando Pirates defender TLB

Chicago Fire FC on Tuesday announced that it has signed defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates in South Africa’s Betway Premiership.

Mbokazi will occupy a U-22 initiative slot and an international roster position, and his contract will run through 2029, with a Club option for the 2029/30 season. Per Club and MLS Policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are excited to welcome Mbekezeli to the Club as we further strengthen our back line,” said Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “In his young career, he has already shown high potential and proven himself to be a strong leader and competitor on the international level. We expect immediate impact and room to grow in future.”

Mbokazi, 20, brings solid professional and international experience, with more than 35 appearances in the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League, along with the MTN 8, Carling Knockout, and Nedbank Cup. He helped the Pirates retain their 2025/26 MTN 8 title with a 3–0 victory over Stellenbosch.

Internationally, Mbokazi has impressed for both South Africa’s U-20 side and the senior national team. He featured in the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup, which South Africa won, securing qualification for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. He debuted for the senior team in May 2025 in a 2–0 win over Mozambique and later received call-ups for World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in the September 2025 international window.

Orlando Pirates Football Club confirmed that it has reached an agreement with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire for the transfer of defender Mbokazi.

Mbokazi will occupy an international roster position with the Fire and his contract will run through 2029, with a Club option for the 2029/30 season.