Thembinkosi 'Nyoso' Lorch has signed a new deal at Orlando Pirates, sources have revealed. It was recently reported by the Siya crew that the Bafana Bafana star's handlers have had talks started with the Soweto giants' management regarding the attacker's possible contract extension.
Lorch remains a valuable member of the Buccaneers' squad and in the long-term plans of head coach Jose Riveiro despite being disrupted by injury on his progress in recent months.
In the 2023/24 season, the 30-year-old is yet to feature due to injury he picked during pre-season.
The Free State-born player had been to both of the side's pre-season camps in Rustenburg and Spain respectively and looked to be on course for a perfect start to the season with the team before the injury struck.
However, insiders have hinted that the former PSL Footballer of the Season is on the mend and close to making a return to matchday squads, which has seemingly also influenced the club's decision to finalise the new deal.
With the indications that the player's previous deal was set to end on 30 June 2024, it is understood that a new three-year deal has been agreed to between the parties.
"Thembinkosi Lorch will be staying with Pirates beyond 2024. He is on a new contract with the club. It is a three-year contract," said a source.
"He is an important member of the team despite being delayed by injuries on his progress in recent times. He is valued highly by the club, and it came as no surprise that they wanted to offer him a new contract. He is recovering from his latest injury and once he finalises with the off-the-field issues that he has been dealing with, he will be ready to focus on his football again," the source added.
Last month, on July 28, Lorch made a brief appearance at the Randburg Magistrates Court in Johannesburg and was due for sentencing for the 2020 incident after he was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, but the matter was postponed to September 4.
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