Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Edson Castillo has returned to the club after a brief absence, joining his teammates for pre-season training on Friday. The Venezuelan international had not been present for the start of pre-season on Monday.

Castillo’s delayed arrival has been attributed to pressing family matters back home in Venezuela. Reports have previously linked the 30-year-old with an exit. However, his return to training indicates his commitment to Chiefs for the upcoming season.

The midfielder’s presence will be a welcome boost for the team, as Castillo was a key figure in the early stages of at the start of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season. His best spell in a Chiefs jersey was under Molefi Ntseki.

Castillo’s dynamic midfield play and goal-scoring ability made him a fan favourite, and his contributions will be crucial as Kaizer Chiefs aim for silverware in the new campaign. Like all his teammates, the South African will be looking to start on a clean slate under the new technical team

Mohamed Nasredinne Nabi looks set to take over the hotseat at Naturena. Nabi, a Tunisian native who holds Belgian citizenship, is winding up his spell with Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat. He plays the Throne Cup final on Monday, which marks his final game for the club.

However, the man set to occupy the assistant coach role – Fernando Da Cruz – arrived on Sunday. Together with the conditioning coach, Mejdi Safi, and the goalkeeper’s coach Ilyes Mzoughi, have kicked off the club’s preseason preparations.

EDSON CASTILLO RETURN A RELIEF FOR FANS

While the transfer window remains open, Castillo’s return suggests that he will be donning the gold and black jersey this season. Fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as they anticipate another season of watching Castillo control the midfield and contribute to the team’s attacking prowess. The club’s followers will be looking to see how he fares under the new technical team.