In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, KickOff catches up with former Mamelodi Sundowns target man Eleazar Rodgers.
The retired striker reveals how he ended up at the Premier Soccer League giants instead of his preferred club Bidvest Wits.
Who I signed for?
"I signed for Sundowns in 2012. Santos got relegated, so there were few teams interested in me, and at the time Johan Neeskens was a coach at Sundowns, I was doing very well at Santos so he wanted me to come to Sundowns.
"That time there was Bloemfontein Celtic, there was Bidvest Wits, and a few other offers. I wanted to go to Wits but I don't know what happened and I ended up at Sundowns.
"I thought it was going to be hard going there, due to the number of quality players Sundowns had at the time, but the coach said they'd give me a fair chance.
"When I started my football journey I wanted to end up at a club that could win trophies. So I was very optimistic that could happen at Sundowns."
How did you find out?
"I found out from my agent."
Where did you meet?
"I went to Chloorkop, straight to their offices. That day there weren't many people, except the people I had come to meet."
Who was there?
"It was the agent and the Sundowns official who dealt with contracts [Yogesh Singh]."
What surprised you?
"I wasn't surprised because I was telling my mind I was making the right move. When it came to agreements and stuff like that I was okay and up for the challenge.
"The only surprise I had was myself joining a big club like Mamelodi Sundowns, knowing it was going to be hard."
Did you get what you wanted?
"Yes, they are a big club Sundowns, therefore whatever was agreed on the contract was there. I wouldn't say I failed when I was there, it's just that the competition for places was very tough.
"I did get my chance, and I did well. But at a club like Sundowns competition will always be very tough. Joining Sundowns did help me in terms of my football journey."
Read: Detailed: Mkhonza's football journey
Did you see out the contract?
"The contract was three years plus option, I stayed one year and went out on loan for a year, when I came back I was sold to Platinum Stars."
What you would change?
"Nothing, to be honest. At these big teams you don't have to ask for a car or house because, with the contract they give you, you can afford those things."