Bidvest Wits defender Lorenzon Gordinho has backed his former teammate at Kaizer Chiefs, George Maluleka, to grow from strength to strength after his shock move to Mamelodi Sundowns was confirmed.

South African football was rocked when Chiefs announced that the midfield hard man had turned down a two-year extension at the club and had decided to sign a pre-contract with rivals Sundowns, bringing an end his six-year stay at the club when his contract expires in June.

It was well known that Amakhosi were keen to hold on to the player, especially considering that their Fifa transfer ban is still up in the air after Chiefs decided to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Maluleka, though, is off to Chloorkop and former Chiefs defender Gordingo believes he will add even more quality to the Sundowns squad.

‘I think George is a top professional, he’s been in the game for a long time,’ said Gordinho after the Students’ 4-0 Nedbank Cup win over Real Kings.

‘He just got back to Bafana Bafana after a long time, he’s been doing well. All the best to him.’

‘I hope he grows from strength to strength because he’s a quality player. He will definitely add something to Sundowns,’ Gordinho concluded.