Sundowns Land Ecuador International Mendez - Midfielder To Join in January

Ralph Staniforth

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Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago

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Mamelodi Sundowns signed Ecuador international Jhegson Méndez to reinforce midfield after Jayden Adams' tragic death.
Defender Wandile Dube joined from AmaZulu on deadline day to strengthen defensive options.
Additional signings include four attackers and two right backs, consolidating Sundowns’ depth for future seasons.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso will be boosted by an additional midfielder in January (Getty Images).

Mamelodi Sundowns have secured the signing of Ecuador international midfielder Jhegson Méndez on a pre-contract, with the 29-year-old set to join the club in January.
Mendez Covers Adams Loss
Dube Makes Deadline Day Switch
Sundowns’ Key Transfer Moves

The move marks a major boost for the Brazilians as they strengthen their midfield for the second half of the season, adding a player with international and overseas experience.

Mendez Covers Adams Loss

Jhegson Méndez is expected to boost an engine room that tragically lost Jayden Adams in the off-season. Whilst Thabo Cele was acquired to boost depth, he is not seen as a regular starter.

Marcelo Allende is a key player in the engine room, but his contract expires on 30 June 2027.

Dube Makes Deadline Day Switch

Sundowns also completed the signing of defender Wandile Dube from AmaZulu on the final day of the PSL transfer window in September. The 22-year-old left-footed defender adds another option in defence.

He is expected to compete with Khulumani Ndamane for a place in the team as a left centre back, but he can also play as a fullback. Sundowns loaned Thato Sibiya to LOSC Lille in France.

Sundowns’ Key Transfer Moves

Mamelodi Sundowns added four attackers in Antonio Van Wyk, Siyanda Ndlovu, Katlego Ntsabeleng and Cassius Mailula in the transfer window. Right backs Deano van Rooyen and Thabang Matuludi also joined ahead of the 2026/27 season.

They also welcomed back Ricardo Goss from a loan spell in goal. Thabo Cele signed on a free transfer after finding himself frozen out at Kaizer Chiefs.

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.