"It was not really an easy decision to take," Mailula said of leaving South Africa."But I feel like I need to get out of my comfort zone and also to explore, to be closer to Europe. And I think this is the right decision for my career, for my family also."
Karabo Tshabuse, Mailula's agent, told a Johannesburg radio station that she wanted to make the most of his breakthrough season so started shopping the young forward"far and wide." "That is 100 per cent going to be a shift in how we manage our pipeline of young players," Hernandez said of loaning out players.The hope is the loans provide playing time that might not be on offer with Toronto. The moves also put the players in the shop window.
Toronto took a first step down that road in February when it sold Canadian international winger Jayden Nelson to Norway’s Rosenborg BK. Just 20, Nelson made 50 appearances in all competitions since joining Toronto as a homegrown player in January 2020."Clearly he had a very impressive season in his league. To be the Young Player of the Year in the top tier in South Africa is quite an achievement," said Hernandez.
"The negotiation was not easy but a credit to the Sundowns and a credit to Cassius and his representative. We were able to find an agreement," said Hernandez. Toronto says Mailula is the second South African to join the team, following in the footsteps of defender Danleigh Borman who played 22 league games for TFC in 2011.