Percy Tau Begins Training With Mamelodi Sundowns Amid Transfer Speculation
The free agent forward has joined the South African club's first-team sessions to maintain his fitness following his departure from Vietnamese side Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC.
Free agent forward Percy Tau has begun training with Mamelodi Sundowns, sparking intense speculation over a potential permanent return to the Betway Premiership giants. The former Bafana Bafana star linked up with head coach Miguel Cardoso's squad for full training sessions at Chloorkop, having previously focused on individual conditioning.
Tau's presence at the training ground follows his appearance in the VIP section at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, where he witnessed Sundowns suffer a 3-1 defeat against Algerian side USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup final. During that match, he was spotted chatting with players outside the matchday squad during halftime.
Club insiders indicate that the arrangement currently serves to help the player maintain his fitness while he weighs his next career move, and no official contract has been tabled yet. Mamelodi Sundowns has remained tight-lipped, not responding to formal inquiries regarding a potential permanent signing at the time of writing.
The 32-year-old attacker has been without a club since his stint with Vietnamese outfit Thep Xanh Nam Dinh FC concluded earlier this year, following earlier spells with Qatari club Qatar SC and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. During his time with Al Ahly, Tau claimed two CAF Champions League titles and earned the honor of being named the 2023 CAF Interclub Player of the Year.
A potential homecoming would mark a reunion with the club where Tau achieved legendary status, playing a pivotal role in their historic 2016 CAF Champions League triumph and capturing domestic league titles under former coach Pitso Mosimane. His stellar 2017/18 campaign also earned him the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot and the PSL Footballer of the Year awards before he secured a move to English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2018.
Work-permit complications during his time in England led to loan spells in Belgium with Union SG, Club Brugge, and Anderlecht. On the international stage, Tau has represented South Africa extensively since his senior debut in 2015, notably contributing to Bafana Bafana's third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The technical team at Sundowns is reportedly keen on adding tactical depth and leadership to their squad, especially after exiting the CAF Champions League and dropping the CAF Super Cup final. The potential inclusion of Tau, alongside the recent return of Cassius Mailula, would provide head coach Miguel Cardoso with valuable attacking alternatives for a congested fixture schedule.
Despite strong sentimental ties and mounting fan excitement over a possible reunion with the Tshwane giants, Tau has emphasized that he is carefully evaluating all future career opportunities. Speaking recently on Marawa Sports Worldwide, Tau remarked, "I will listen if there are offers; I’m not ruling out anyone. There’s a lot to take in, to consider. You have to consider age, how long the contract is and then family."