Itumeleng Khune Enters 20th Season With Chiefs After Signing Final Contract

• Itumeleng Khune was promoted to the senior side in 2004 and made his debut in 2007 against Jomo Cosmos
• Khune has signed a new deal with Kaizer Chiefs, which will see him enter his 20th season as the Soweto club
• Kaizer Motaung Jr praised Khune for his longevity as he extended his contract with Chiefs for one final season
• Itumeleng Khune’s stellar career at Kaizer Chiefs is set to continue for one more season.

The club’s longest-serving player has penned a new one-year deal with the side and will end his playing career with the Amakhosi in 2024.

The new deal will also ensure that he ends his time after 20 years as a first-team player. Chiefs took to social media to announce that it was Khune’s final contract as a Chiefs player.

When did Khune debut?

The former Bafana Bafana shot-stopper spent five years in Chiefs' development structures before he was promoted to the senior team. He was promoted to the senior team during the 2004/05 season and debuted in August 2007 against Jomo Cosmos. He was only 20 at the time.

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Khune made over 400 appearances

As noted by Goal, Itu has played over 400 games for the side in the 19 seasons he has been there.

He has kept over 150 clean sheets during that time. He featured 13 times for the side during the 2022/23 season.

Kaizer Motaung praises Khune

The club’s Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr commented on Khune’s contract signing, praising the goalkeeper for his longevity, the club’s website reported.

“It is remarkable that Itu, at 36, has been with Chiefs for over 20 years. It speaks to his love for the game, dedication, hard work and commitment because very few achieve this feat. We hope that he gives it his all in this final season and shares his valuable experience with the younger players in the team,” Motaung Jr said.

What’s next for Khune?

Khune will focus on broadening his technical understanding as he transitions into a coaching and ambassadorial role at the club in the future. He will also be working with the marketing division at the club.

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Khune commits future to Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeping great Itumeleng Khune is going anywhere, Sports Brief earlier reported.

This is amid suggestions from various observers for him to hang up his gloves or move on from the Naturena-based club.

Khune replied that he was going nowhere and was Khosi for life.