Football agent Mike Makaab has confirmed that Kaizer Chiefs fended off interest from local rivals and a European club to secure the signature of Ethan Chislett.
Chislett, 26, recently inked a two-year contract with Amakhosi, including an option for a further year.
The move marks a homecoming for the Durban-born midfielder, who spent the last decade in England, featuring for clubs like Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon.
Speaking on Gagasi FM, Makaab said Chislett’s decision to join Chiefs wasn’t due to a lack of offers.
“There was strong interest in Ethan, not just locally but abroad too,” said the football agent.
“We had a formal offer from Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League – very serious. But Ethan’s heart was set on coming back to South Africa, and Kaizer Chiefs was always his first choice.”
The talented playmaker, whose father Donovan Chislett once played for Manning Rangers in the PSL, sees his return as a chance to reconnect with his roots and elevate his career.
“It’s special – his father was a tough full-back, and I used to represent him too,” Makaab said.
“Ethan’s got flair and finesse – very different from Donovan.”
Both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns also showed concrete interest in signing Chislett, Makaab revealed.
“I could’ve taken him to Pirates or Sundowns. They were keen, but Ethan believed Chiefs offered the best environment for his growth,” he added.
Ultimately, Chislett’s ambition is to break into the national team, and Makaab believes Chiefs can be the ideal platform to help him reach that goal.