SuperSport United offer was “interesting and lucrative” says Siyanda Xulu

The 31-year-old came to the end of his contract with Azerbaijan outfit Turan Tovuz and was linked with a transfer to the Gulf Region as well as Turkey before both AmaZulu and SuperSport came knocking.

He explains why he signed for Matsatsantsa.

"If you had to ask me the very same question a month ago, I would have just told you that I'm going back overseas but what SuperSport came with, was a interesting project for me. For me as a brand, for me as a player, it brought in some stability with something that I need at this age. The offer came, it was a very lucrative project for me," Xulu said.

Xulu, who went for trials at Arsenal and Atletico Madrid when he was only 18, has also played in Russia and Israel while there were also spells at Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United in between.  

But he says his time crisscrossing around the world was up.

"It's something that I didn't have even to think twice about hence why I even decided to just stay home. I think at this age and time the most important thing is stability. Overseas it's more money, overseas it's a lot of risk but at this age and time, I don't think I still have that in my pocket," Xulu added.

"The amount of time that I have to risk my career. Even though it is going to be in some sort of bracket financially but I think now it's all about getting life together back home. It's all about focusing on finishing well in my career especially back home."

The centre back also had to consider Bafana Bafana ahead of their participation in the Afcon next year.

"Yes, it was a factor, me and coach Gavin [Hunt] we had a long chat about it that the coach appreciates me playing overseas, whatever it is coach Hugo [Broos] but again when I'm back home I'm going to be getting that much closer look. Which is gonna be very important for him as well. Just to monitor my performance week in, and week out. Yes, coming back home it has a big effect on the AFCON."