Kaizer Chiefs are preparing for a significant squad overhaul ahead of the 2026/27 season, and the attacking midfield department is a clear priority. With veteran Gastón Sirino reportedly on his way out, the burden on young playmaker Mduduzi Shabalala has become a growing concern. Luke Baartman is still adjusting to senior football, while Mfundo Vilakazi has seen only sporadic minutes in the number 10 role. In the second instalment of a three-part series profiling potential signings, the focus turns to a player who could instantly transform Amakhosi’s creative output: Lucas Ribeiro.
The 27-year-old Brazilian is currently weighing his options after departing Spanish side Cultural Leonesa, but his recent numbers speak for themselves. Over the past three seasons, Ribeiro has amassed a remarkable 43 goals and 25 assists across all competitions, including standout campaigns at Mamelodi Sundowns where he registered 16 goals and 9 assists in 2023/24 and an even more prolific 21 goals with 14 assists the following season. Crucially, he already knows the Betway Premiership inside out, meaning he would require no adaptation period. For incoming coach Fernando Da Cruz, signing a player of Ribeiro’s calibre would