Kaizer Chiefs clarify Daniel Cardoso contract status

Kaizer Chiefs have been forced to issue a clarification on the contract status of Daniel Cardoso.

It has been widely reported that Cardoso is out of contract at the end of the current season but Kaizer Chiefs have advised that the defender is on a deal that expires in 2022.

Kaizer Chiefs clarify Daniel Cardoso contract

The source of the confusion appears to be Kaizer Chiefs themselves as the club previously announced that Cardoso signed a one-year extension to his former contract during the 2019/20 season.

Cardoso has formed a formidable partnership with Eric Matoho in the Kaizer Chiefs defence and Amakhosi’s top brass have no intention of letting him go any time soon.

A source within Kaizer Chiefs told Soccer Laduma that Cardoso’s deal only expires next June and not this year.

“Daniel’s contract was coming to an end towards the end of last season and following a review, he was offered a new two-year deal. The information that he is approaching the final months of his contract is wrong,” the unnamed source said.

The status of his contract could mean little if Gavin Hunt and Bobby Motaung decide he is surplus to requirements when Kaizer Chiefs can once again dip into the transfer market in July.

Cardoso joined Kaizer Chiefs from Free State Stars in 2015, making 156 competitive appearances for the club (as of 19 February 2021). He has primarily been deployed as a centre back but has also played as a fullback and in a defensive midfield role.

At 32-years-old he is unlikely to add to the single Bafana Bafana cap he has won during his career, especially given the fierce criticism Stuart Baxter was subjected to when he picked Cardoso.

Kaizer Chiefs have just three specialist centre backs in their senior squad and the position is likely to be among those targeted for recruitment.