Mamelodi Sundowns have officially bid farewell to 20-year-old defender Thato Sibiya as Orlando Pirates announced the surprise departure of Deano Van Rooyen.
Promising left-back Sibiya has secured a season-long loan move to French Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with an option for the deal to become permanent.
Sibiya, a South Africa U20 international who featured in limited senior matches for the Pretoria side, is regarded as one of the club’s brightest academy products.
Meanwhile, Pirates and Van Rooyen have mutually agreed to part ways with the full-back, who had joined them from Stellenbosch FC in 2024 and made over 50 appearances.
The experienced defender was a consistent, professional performer for the club and Pirates thanked him and wished him well for the future.
During his two-year spell with the Soweto giants, Van Rooyen won three trophies: the Betway Premiership, the Carling Knockout, and the MTN8.
