Jele parted ways with Pirates last year, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned 16 years and included over 400 appearances since 2006.
A statement at that time revealed that Jele was asked to seriously consider a non-playing role after extensive meetings, but the former captain subsequently insisted that he wanted to continue playing “beyond the 2021/2022 season”. However, Pirates ultimately decided that they couldn’t agree to a continued role in the playing squad, and bid farewell to Jele.
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The 36-year-old has not been able to find a new home, but this could be set to change, with leading football journalist Mazola Molefe reporting that a move to Royal AM could be back on.
This could ultimately represent a sensational final chapter to his career if he does make the transfer to Shauwn Mkhize’s club.
This latest news comes after Goal.com recently reported “on good authority” that Jele is once again negotiating with Orlando Pirates regarding a non-playing position at the club.
“Talks between the two parties are still in the early stages,” the source told GOAL. “He is seriously considering hanging up his boots and serving the club that he loves in any capacity. It is unclear at this stage what kind of position he will be offered by the club. But everything will be clear as talks progress.”
Jele had won two league titles, two Nedbank Cups, a Telkom Knockout competition and been part of three MTN8 title successes, but couldn’t settle at a new club after parting ways with Pirates.
It will now be very interesting to see where Jele ends up.
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PIRATES RELEASE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WHEN BIDDING FAREWELL TO JELE:
After 16 amazing years with us, we bid farewell to our future Hall of Famer.
Our central defender and Club Captain, who has reached the end of his contract, will be leaving the club. This marks the end of Happy Jele’s momentous career with us.
Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that Happy Jele met with the Chairman of the Club at the end of the 2021/22 season to discuss his future. During these deliberations, which spanned a three-week period, the Club discussed various job options available to the long-term serving defender in a non-playing capacity.
Subsequent to this meeting, the 35-year-old was afforded time to go home and think about it.
Ordinarily, players are released at the end of the players’ contract but in Happy’s case, as he has a special place in the Club, having served the Club so professionally over the past 16 years, the Chairman had specifically asked the player for his input.
A follow-up meeting was held two weeks later where Happy expressed his intensions to continue playing football beyond the 2021/2022 season, an option that unfortunately is not available.
Everyone at Orlando Pirates Football Club would like to express the enormous gratitude to Happy Jele and wish him the very best of luck for the future.
Happy arrived from the amateur club Walter Stars in 2006 as a lanky and unassuming 19 year old. Today, he leaves a place he has called home for the past 16 years as a legend, captain, husband and father.
In those 16 years, he won 8 trophies, made over 400 appearances and scored 18 goals.
Happy is a special character who has answered every call the Club has made of him throughout the years which is why he has a future at the Club beyond his playing days. Everyone at Orlando Pirates Football Club would like to express the enormous gratitude to Happy Jele and wish him the very best of luck for the future.