Happy Jele's return to domestic football through the doors of Royal AM has come following negotiations that started straight after his departure from Orlando Pirates.
Jele has agreed to a deal running up to the end of the season with an option to renew.
Read | Pirates' goalkeeping options get stronger in CAF spot push
His arrival at the KwaZulu-Natal club coincided with the return of John Maduka with the mission being to revive the fortunes after a slide that has left them in the bottom half.
Word reaching this website is that Jele was offered to Royal AM at the beginning of the season, but a deal couldn't be ironed back then.
His package at the time was cited as one of the reasons a contract couldn't be agreed.
Royal AM were genuinely keen but the technical team was hesitant and didn't give enough motivational push for his signing.
In the meantime, Jele kept his calm in the market by starting his coaching badges after having chosen not to take the non-playing role that he was offered at Pirates after featuring in 33 games last season.
That role would have come with a substantive drop in his earnings.
Seven months later the situation at Royal AM left them with no choice than to turn to Jele with negotiations smoother this time considering the contract was short term though with an option to extend.
Another reason why there was a turn have been what has happened on the field.
Royal AM have the second-worst defensive record in the league having conceded 26 goals in 18 games so far this season.
Their leaking defence has meant they have only kept four clean sheets this season and this has prompted them to turn to the 36-year-old.
'Magents' arrives at Royal AM in good condition despite having last played at the end of May when he was red carded against SuperSport United.
This will mean Jele will not be available for two matches – effective from when he is registered with the PSL by Royal AM.
The last six months have been the first time that Jele has been without a club since he broke through to the professional ranks as a teenager in 2006 before moving on to feature in over 400 games and earning undisputed legendary standing at Pirates.
He won all domestic trophies through his 16 years with The Bucs.
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