This archive report was first published on 22 July 2020.
On July 22, 2020, Thembi Kgatlana, the 2018 African Women's Footballer of the Year, made a significant move in her career by joining Spanish club SD Eibar on a free transfer from Portuguese side SL Benfica.
After parting ways with Benfica last week, Kgatlana moved to Spain, marking a new chapter in her meteoric rise in European football.
‘Thembi Kgatlana has become the latest reinforcement of the Eibar Sports Society women’s first team,’ read the statement on the club’s website.
At just 24 years old, Kgatlana is an international for her country and has already made a name for herself in the football world.
Her impressive form in the United States and in the 2018 African Women’s Nations Cup earned her a switch to China with Beijing BG Phoenix, followed by a move to Portugal in January.
Widely considered as one of South Africa’s most talented footballers at present, her transfer to Eibar marks a significant step in the career of Banyana’s attacking talisman.
During her short spell in Portugal, she only made three appearances for Luis Andrade’s team, scoring three goals and powered them to the Portuguese Taca de liga final and league diadem.
She has played for Houston Dash in the American league, Beijing BG Phoenix in the Chinese league, and Portuguese team Benfica.
