Njabulo Blom appears poised to make his return to Kaizer Chiefs permanent, with the club reportedly set to activate the buyout clause in his loan agreement with St. Louis City.
After a successful loan spell that began in September 2024, the midfielder has impressed the Amakhosi hierarchy, prompting them to secure his long-term future at Naturena.
Blom, a product of Chiefs’ youth academy, initially departed for St. Louis City in the MLS in January 2023. While he enjoyed a promising start in the United States, he returned to familiar territory with a loan move back to Chiefs.
This return has proven to be a shrewd move for both the player and the club. Despite initially needing time to regain match fitness, Blom has become a consistent presence in the Betway Premiership, contributing significantly to the team’s midfield.
Sources close to the club have revealed that Chiefs are highly satisfied with Blom’s performances and value his contributions to the team.
This satisfaction is the driving force behind their decision to exercise the option to buy him outright from St. Louis City when the loan concludes in June 2025. This move signals a strong commitment from Chiefs to build a stable and competitive squad.
The situation is further simplified by Blom’s own preference to remain at Chiefs. Insiders suggest that the 25-year-old has expressed his desire to stay in South Africa, making negotiations considerably smoother for the club.
This desire, coupled with the existing understanding between Chiefs and St. Louis City – given that they initially sold Blom to the MLS side – suggests that the buyout process will be a straightforward affair.
The financial aspect is also expected to be manageable, as the pre-existing relationship between the clubs is likely to result in a reasonable transfer fee.
The potential permanent signing of Blom represents more than just acquiring a player; it signifies a strategic move to secure a key component of the team’s midfield.
The player’s history with the club, having progressed through the youth ranks and debuted for the senior team in 2019, adds a layer of continuity and connection to the team’s identity.
Moreover, Blom’s ambitions to regain his place in the Bafana Bafana squad align with Chiefs’ own aspirations for success, creating a mutually beneficial scenario.
Blom’s career trajectory has seen him represent South Africa at the Under-20 level and earn senior national team call-ups under coach Hugo Broos.
His return to Chiefs offers him the platform to consistently perform at a high level, bolstering his chances of returning to the national setup.
With his contract at St Louis City running until December 2025, the timing of the buyout is opportune for all parties involved.