Leonardo Castro offered his services to Egyptian giants Zamalek after the 2016 CAF Champions League final, former manager Moamen Soliman has revealed.
Castro, 30, has been one of the leading performers in the Absa Premiership since his initial arrival from Bolivian outfit Universitario de Sucre in 2015.
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Having joined Sundowns as a relatively unknown figure to South African football, the Colombian developed an explosive partnership with Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly in the infamous 'CBD' trio.
With four major titles in his two and half seasons at Chloorkop, the towering striker opted for a lucrative switch to Kaizer Chiefs but he could so easily have ended up in Cairo, according to the former White Knights boss.
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"After the [2016 Caf Champions League] final, and while I was so sad to lose the title and Sundowns players were celebrating," Soliman said on On-Time Sports.
"Castro came to me and offered himself to play for Zamalek because he was fascinated by the atmosphere in the stadium.
"I told the board about that story, and we were trying to sign him before, but I was sacked after that and for some reason, he did not come to the club."
Since joining Amakhosi in January 2018, Castro has scored 20 goals and registered nine assists in 68 games across all competitions.