Wydad strike agreement with Sundowns to sign Lorch

Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club have reached an agreement with Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns over the signing of Thembinkosi Lorch ahead of the 2025/26 Botola Pro League season.

The 32-year-old forward joined the Brazilians in January 2024, in what was a blockbuster move from rivals Orlando Pirates – brought in by then-coach Rulani Mokwena, whom they had worked together previously at the Buccaneers.

However, Lorch couldn’t establish himself in the star-studded Sundowns starting XI, which was further fueled by the departure of Mokwena for Wydad at the end of the 2023/24 season after guiding Masandawana to a record-extending seventh consecutive league title.

The former Bucs stalwart made 26 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing four assists during his time at Chloorkop. The lack of game time engineered a move away from the club.

In his rescue, Mokwena came calling in the January transfer window last season, which saw the pair reunite in Casablanca, where he managed to rediscover his form and quickly became a fan favorite with eye-catching performances.

Lorch featured in 17 matches for the Red Castle, chipping in with three goals to his name. The Bloemfontein-born star also dazzled on a global stage in the FIFA Club World Cup against Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain.

With the player out-of-favour at Sundowns and seemingly not in coach Miguel Cardoso’s plans, Wydad activated the buy option to make the player’s loan deal permanent, with sources indicating the two clubs have agreed on all terms for his transfer.

Lorch is understood to have put pen to paper on a one-year deal with an option to extend by a further 12 months, as the sleeping Moroccan powerhouse gears up for a return to the CAF Inter-club competitions, having booked their spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

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