In this edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, KickOff catches up with former Kaizer Chiefs defender Gordon Gilbert.
Gilbert moved to Naturena in 2008 after impressing the Chiefs management at Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Your move to Chiefs, how did it happen?
"It was the most proud moment in my life. Signing for such a big team like Chiefs was just surreal. I still remember getting a call from Bobby Motaung, and I thought it was a setup [laughs].
"It was one of my proudest moments. I remember it was in the papers 'Gilbert signs for Pirates', but I didn't know anything about that. It was not true. My agent was trying to push me to Pirates, but then I got a call from Bobby saying he wanted me to come to Naturena. He sent his driver to come and collect me, and when I got there, we just discussed a contract, and yeah, we made a deal here and there. The rest is history."
What made you choose them over Pirates?
"The way that Chiefs handled the whole negotiations and the fact that they jumped into it quickly, and got me to Naturena with immediate effect. And I think the negotiations were very easy. I mean, who doesn't want to play for Kaizer Chiefs? It's the biggest team in Africa. No matter how you look at it."
Where did the Chiefs' negotiations take place?
"In Naturena."
Who was there?
"I remember Bobby Motaung was present, I can't remember who the other guys were, but Bobby was the main man."
Anything that surprised you?
"The fairness. I was just surprised by how fair they were."
Did you get what you wanted?
"Oh yes, I did. They took care of me. My contract was three years."
