According to reports, ex-Kaizer Chiefs striker Gustavo Paez is on the verge of re-joining one of his former clubs.
Paez lasted just two years at Chiefs between 2017 and 2019, with the Venezuelan marksman scoring 10 goals in 53 appearances for the club, according to Transfermarkt.
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He later went on to represent Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) in 2020, but his contract was cancelled without the centre-forward even kicking a ball.
According to Soccer Laduma, TTM alleged that Paez was still contracted to a team in Venezuela and were fearful of repeating the mistake made by Kaizer Chiefs in the case of Andriamirado Aro Hasina Andrianarimanana (Dax), which saw the Soweto giants being slapped with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA.
Paez subsequently took the club to FIFA, and the world football governing body ruled in favour of the player, ordering TTM to pay around R2 million to the goal-poacher.
According to Transfermarkt, Paez has been without a club since January 2023 after he parted ways with Aragua FC.
A new report now suggests that the 34-year-old is set to be given a new lease on life by one of his former clubs following a lengthy spell as a free agent.
Venezuelan outfit Estudiantes de Merida are set to announce Paez as one of their new January signings ahead of the start of the 2025 season later this month.
Notably, Estudiantes are the same club which Paez left to join Chiefs in January 2017.
During his last stint at Estudiantes, the former Amakhosi man made 32 appearances, registering nine goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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