MLS side Chicago Fire coach Gregg Berhalter reveals how their links in South Africa helped them sign Mbekezeli Mbokazi from PSL side Orlando Pirates

Gregg Berhalter has detailed how Chicago Fire tracked and eventually signed Mbekezeli Mbokazi from Orlando Pirates.

Berhalter disclosed that a contact of theirs in South Africa would give them updates on the progress of the Bafana Bafana international defender.

Mbokazi made his way into the MLS side this week as they started with their pre-season.

“It was pretty straightforward,” Berhalter explained the process of pursuing Mbokazi.

“We’ve been scouting him for a while. I have a friend who’s a sporting director of a top team there; I called him for a reference, and he said he’s an absolute top player.

“We watched a ton of games. We had a call with the player. We were able to understand him as a person, but most importantly his quality.

“He came to Chicago, we were able to show him the training ground, show him the environment that we’re building. And he was excited about it.

“He believes that this is a great step in his career.”