Orlando Pirates made a critical mistake when they sold Lyle Foster to French Ligue 1 side Monaco in the summer of 2019.
Orlando Pirates sold Foster for peanuts
Burnley paid €7m upfront for Lyle Foster in January 2023, with a further €4m of add-ons triggered because of their promotion to the EPL. Foster’s move amounted to something approaching a staggering R225 million. One of the existing cash-rich EPL sides might be keen to take a punt on Foster’s fighting qualities, especially at a price around €13 million (R280 million). It makes you think, could Pirates have held out for more than the €1.2 million they received for him in 2019? Also, why didn’t they put a sell-on clause into that deal? Typically, sell-on clauses hover around the 10-20% mark. If Foster’s move to Burnley was approximately R232 million, 20% of that would equal R46.4 million. That’s quite an easy payday which the Orlando Pirates board overlooked.
Foster is proven at this level
A host of other Premier League clubs would jump at the chance of signing the hard-working South African for around double what Burnley paid tos secure his services. Foster scored five goals and provided three assists in 24 top-flight appearances in 2023-2024; 22 were starts. It’s no exaggeration to say he was arguably their best player, and to produce those numbers in a side struggling at the basement is a superb achievement.
How will the Bafana man fare in the 2025-2026 EPL season?
Burnley have won promotion to the promised land of the Premier League after guaranteeing a top-two finish in the 2024-2025 Championship table with two games to spare. Lyle Foster made 27 appearances under new boss Scott Parker with two goals and five assists. This was the ultimate response to relegation heartbreak in 2023-2024 when they finished 19th with 24 points. He’ll be eager to build on his numbers from their ill-fated campaign last time out. It could put him in the shop window to enable a move to a more fashionable side.
Orlando Pirates can’t repeat this mistake with Rele Mofokeng
Relebohile Mofokeng has racked up a staggering 41 appearances in the 2024-2025 season across all competitions. Arguably the club’s most important operator, he’s produced 10 goals and 13 assists in those matches. It’s a stellar output for any player, let alone one who’s just exited his teens. Is there a succession plan for he inevitably leaves for a wealthier league abroad? Money can buy good players, but some stars are priceless. Orlando Pirates have unearthed a new teenager, but he’s unlikely to make an impact for some time.
Orlando Pirates fans, will Foster succeed on his return to the Premier League?
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