North West born player joins international team

By Omphile Mokwena

Puso Dithejane

A footballer from Christiana in the North West Province is heading to the United States after Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire FC confirmed the signing of South African winger Puso Dithejane from TS Galaxy.

The club announced this week that the 21-year-old attacker has been acquired on a long-term deal running through the 2029–30 season, with an option extending to 2030–31. Chicago Fire also confirmed Dithejane will take up a U-22 Initiative slot and an international roster position, while the financial terms of the transfer were not disclosed.

Dithejane becomes the second South African signed by the club ahead of the new MLS season, following the recent arrival of Bafana Bafana centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates.

Dithejane joins the American club after two seasons in South Africa’s top flight with TS Galaxy, where he made his name as a direct winger capable of contributing goals and assists.

The winger has played 63 matches across all competitions for TS Galaxy. In the 2024–25 league season, he featured in 27 matches and made 12 starts, while in the current 2025–26 campaign, he has started every regular-season match he played in and produced four goals and four assists, according to the club’s player profile.

Dithejane’s football journey started at the Transnet School of Excellence, regarded as one of South Africa’s leading youth programmes, before he moved to the Kaizer Chiefs Academy. He later joined TS Galaxy in 2023, where regular first-team football helped accelerate his development and made him a transfer target in local football circles. In a video shared on the club’s social media platforms, Dithejane introduced himself to supporters and said he is excited to begin his journey in the United States.

“Hello Chicago Fire fans, I am Puso Dithejane. I am excited and honoured to join this club and be part of something special. I can’t wait to get on the pitch, give my all and play in front of you,” he said.

Reports in South Africa indicated TS Galaxy had turned down interest from other clubs for the winger earlier in the season, before Chicago Fire moved to secure his services for the new MLS campaign.

Dithejane is expected to link up with his new teammates in the coming weeks as Chicago Fire prepares for the start of the 2026 MLS season, which opens in February.