Bafana Bafana defender Siyanda Xulu is officially a free agent, after the player and his club Hapoel Tel Aviv mutually agreed to terminate his contract early.

The 30-year-old defender joined the Israeli club in August 2020 and has impressed many by forcing his way back into the national team under both Molefi Ntseki and Hugo Broos.

Despite featuring regularly this season in 18 of 23 games, reports suggested that the defender had gone awol after a falling out with the club’s coach.

However, the player’s agency, Siyavuma Sports Group, confirmed his departure while insisting media reports have been misleading.

“There has been some misleading media reports regarding Siyanda Xulu and his absence from the Hapoel Tel Aviv match-day squad on Saturday, 26 February 2022,” the SS Group said in a statement to the Siya crew.

“For clarity, Siyanda Xulu has today come to an agreement on his contract with the management of Hapoel Tel Aviv, to mutually terminate with immediate effect. Siyanda’s contract was due to end in June 2022. Siyanda would like to thank the club and fans for their support during the last two seasons and wishes the club every success going forward.”

It means Xulu, a former Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United player, will have to wait until 1 July before playing again, having left Tel Aviv outside the transfer window.