Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy.
Image: BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs defender Aden McCarthy could soon be competing in the 2026/27 Uefa Champions League, with a move to Azerbaijan Premier League champions Sabah FK looming.
According to iDiski Times, the Amakhosi star is set to pen a three-year deal with Sabah FK, with an option to extend for another year. Sabah FK won the Azerbaijan Premier League this season and will play in the first qualifying round of next season’s Uefa Champions League.
McCarthy, who is the son of former Chiefs player Fabian McCarthy, played a total of 2,399 minutes across all competitions for Amakhosi last season. He featured prominently in the Betway Premiership, missing only seven league matches.
His stellar performances at both left-back and centre-back propelled Amakhosi to a third-place finish and a return to continental football in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sabah FK is a fast-developing club in the Azerbaijan Premier League that boasts former French youth international Aaron Malouda in its squad.
Malouda is the son of former Chelsea superstar Florent Malouda, who featured for France in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final and scored France’s solitary goal against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein, denying the hosts advancement to the next round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Despite McCarthy's impressive performances for Amakhosi, he missed out on inclusion in Bafana Bafana's squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Instead, coach Hugo Broos opted for his Chiefs teammate Bradley Cross instead.
“Bradley was with us a few years ago, but he suffered because of the level Chiefs were at during that time. But things got better at Chiefs last season,” Broos said.
“We also had a little problem with Modiba, so I had to look at that. Normally there should be no problem for Modiba, but if there is, we have Kabini on the left-hand side. That was not the only reason, but one of the reasons for calling up Cross.”