Orlando Pirates Great Happy Jele Writes Heartfelt Letter to Supporters After Ending 16 Year Stay With Bucs

• Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has spoken for the first time since news of his departure from the club broke
• The 35-year-old Jele penned an emotional letter to the Pirates fraternity to thank them after a 16-year-long stay with the Soweto giants
• He stated that he was not yet ready to retire after being offered a non-playing role was offered to him following the end of last season

Happy Jele has broken his silence following the announcement that he and Orlando Pirates would be parting ways.

This ended a 16-year association with the club, where he became the record caps holder with over 400, where he won eight major trophies while also ascending to the captaincy.

According to Kick Off, the 35-year-old Jele said in a press statement:

"I am proud to have represented the Ghost with dedication, loyalty and humility and I hope I didn’t disappoint. " wish Orlando Pirates FC, fans, supporters, management and the members of the 2022/23 squad all the best in their future endeavours. Once and always a buccaneer."

REVEALED! The top 20 dirtiest NBA players of all time

NBA

In the statement, "Magents" confirmed that Pirates had offered him a non-playing role under the assumption that he would retire at the end of last season, but he stated that he wished to extend his playing career beyond this.

He added:

"I therefore wish to inform my fans and the ghost supporters that I won’t be lost in the black and white family but will take a year or two break away from the club to possibly pursue my interest of playing before I call it quits or even making my way back to the Ghost, but time will tell."

Rumours appear to be solidifying that he could be joining Royal AM ahead of next season, with Soccer Laduma becoming the latest publication to catch wind of this development.

Ranking the 15 ugliest football players in the world

Football

Orlando Pirates legend Happy Jele officially parts ways with the club after a 16-year journey

Happy Jele's glittering stay at Orlando Pirates has come to an end.

As reported by Sports Brief, the club announced the stalwart 35-year-old's departure in a brief statement on its website. Jele made over 400 appearances for the club and won eight trophies during his time with the first team, also earning himself three international caps with Bafana Bafana.

He was snapped up from Walter Stars at the age of 19 years back in 2006.