Nhlakanipho Ntuli is one of those players, particularly having come through the development ranks at Pirates before moving overseas at a young age.
Since leaving Parktown, and after a year-and-a-half with Steve McClaren's FC Twente, 'Nana' has not enjoyed the best of times and was also clubless for significant periods of time.
The 24-year-old is now playing for Sportis Lochowo in Poland and has reflected on growing up with the Sea Robbers, which opened the door to Europe for him.
The Durban-born midfielder says being a Pirates product is something he will always cherish for the rest of his life.
"My stay at Orlando Pirates was amazing, I can't ask for more. I stayed there for eight years. I joined them when I was 11 years old. I was raised there," Ntuli tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"I learnt a lot of things there football-wise and about life in general. I can't ask for more to be honest. They still have special place in my heart. They've made me who I am today.
"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here in Europe, wouldn't have played in Netherlands, even here in Poland. I will always appreciate Orlando Pirates."
Even though he values the club that groomed him, Ntuli says his chapter with the Soweto giants is closed and he is not planning to return.
"They gave me everything, from development to the first team. Even if I can write a book they will get 15 to 20 pages of things they've done for me," he adds.
"But I don't think I will return to the PSL. I really want to grow here and stay longer."
