Durban City FC pull off eight-player transfer coup for 2026/27
Durban City FC have completed a major squad overhaul for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season, bringing in eight new faces including Uruguayan playmaker Gastón Sirino. The arrivals were announced on 24 July 2026 as the club targets an immediate return to the top half of the table.
Who has Durban City FC signed?
Sirino joins from Club Nacional in Uruguay, bringing Champions League experience and creative flair to the midfield. The eight new recruits also include two defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards. The club confirmed the signings via a statement released on Thursday morning.
Local youngster Sipho Mkhize returns to the fold after a loan spell at Richards Bay FC. The 22-year-old winger impressed during pre-season trials and has been handed a two-year deal. Defender Thabiso Mahlangu arrives from TS Galaxy, while midfielder Gift Motupa joins after his release from Orlando Pirates.
Why these signings matter for Durban City FC
The arrivals address key weaknesses identified in last season’s 11th-place finish. Sirino’s arrival gives the club a creative hub in midfield, while Mkhize’s pace on the wing provides direct threat. Defensively, Mahlangu’s experience in the GladAfrica Championship should shore up the backline.
Club CEO Themba Cele said the new recruits fit the project’s long-term vision. “We needed players with hunger and technical quality,” Cele told reporters. “Sirino brings both, and the others complement our style under the new manager.”
What comes next for Durban City FC?
Pre-season training resumes on 28 July 2026, with the squad set to face AmaZulu FC in a closed-door friendly on 3 August. The Betway Premiership curtain-raiser against Chippa United kicks off on 16 August 2026. Sirino is expected to make his debut in the opening match after completing his medical on Friday.
