Gilberto closing in on new club after Orlando Pirates exit

Foot Africa has been led to believe that Gilberto is on the verge of signing for Girabola outfit Wiliete Sports Clube on a free transfer.

This comes after the attacker was released by Orlando Pirates earlier this month, alongside Karim Kimvuidi, Sipho Mbule, Bandile Shandu, and Tshegofatso Mabasa.

Gilberto signed for the Buccaneers in a reported deal worth in the region of R10 million from Angolan giants Petro de Luanda in July 2024.

However, the 24-year-old struggled to adapt to the rigorous Betway Premiership, prompting Pirates to engineer a six-month loan move to Petro in January 2025.

The loan agreement was eventually prolonged to December, before a fresh deal was struck to extend his stay in his native Angola to June 2026.

Meanwhile, the controversial star made 12 appearances across all competitions in the famous black and white jersey of Pirates, failing to register a goal contribution.

Notably, his contract at Pirates was due to expire at the end of the 2026/27 campaign, but the club opted to severe ties one year earlier.

While he had seemingly reignited his career at his former club, Gilberto was subject to a disciplinary hearing at Petro as reported by this publication last month.

He participated in a street football tournament in Kilamba, South of Luanda, breaching contractual terms, which saw the reigning Angolan champions freeze him out.

Gilberto was last in action in Petro's 4-0 mauling of Academica do Lobito in the Angolan Cup Round of 16 back in April.

Now, the player looks set to join Petro's title rivals on a two-year deal plus an option to extend, with an official announcement expected in the coming weeks.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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