Siyabonga Ngezana has left Kaizer Chiefs to join Romanian Lige 1 side Fotbal Club FCSB, formerly Steaua Bucharesti.

The 25-year-old came up through the ranks at Amakhosi and went on to play 123 times for the DStv Premiership club, scoring six goals and creating one.

Chiefs revealed their "sadness" at losing the talented centre-back but also wished him well ahead of his overseas adventure.

A club statement read: "Kaizer Chiefs bid farewell to defender, Siyabonga Ngezana, who has signed for Romanian Lige 1 powerhouse, Fotbal Club FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharesti. The 25-year-old Youth Development Academy graduate joins the 26-time Romanian champions for an undisclosed fee after spending seven seasons as a first-team player, at Naturena, having made a goal-scoring debut against Mamelodi Sundowns in 2017.

"The muscular center-back's most consistent campaign came in 2020-21, where he played regularly in domestic competition and featured in almost all of Amakhosi’s fixtures in the lead-up to the CAF Champions League final.

"He remained a model professional who took his game very seriously even when times were tough. He trained hard and gave his best when called upon to play wherever the coach deployed him, even filling in at fullback in the midst of a freak injury crisis last season."

The statement continued: "Back in March 2021, Ngezana signed a three-year deal with the option of a further two-year extension but, after completing just two of those years, the time has come for both Club and player to pursue different paths forward."

Amakhosi Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jr added: "There is always a tinge of sadness when a player who has risen through the ranks here leaves the Club.

"However, Siya has had a good and substantial career at Kaizer Chiefs and feels the time is right to take up a new challenge. We appreciate his wholehearted commitment to Amakhosi and wish him well on his exciting adventure to Europe."

"We wish Siya all the best in Romania. May he fly the South African and Kaizer Chiefs flags high in Europe," concluded the statement.

Siyabonga Ngezana departs Kaizer Chiefs for Romania