EXCLUSIVE: Happy Jele is definitely STAYING at Orlando Pirates!

Orlando Pirates fans can be rest assured that Happy Jele will still be at the club next season despite his contract coming to an end in June.

Jele’s future at Pirates had been the subject of speculation for some time now as the management kept their cards close to their chest.

READ | ORLANDO PIRATES LATEST | PULE LEAPS TO DEFENCE OF UNDER-FIRE ZINNBAUER

And this is because of the arrival of Thulani Hlatshwayo, who to some, joined Pirates to take over from Jele.

Josef Zinnbauer’s decision to hand Hlatshwayo the captain’s armband even with Jele available coupled with the defender’s long absence due to a hip injury, added fuel to the speculation.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS LATEST | I’M NOT WORRIED ABOUT WYDAD STRIKERS – BRUCE BVUMA

However, TheSouthAfrican.com, through its source close to the player, can confirmed that Jele and Pirates are close to agreeing a new deal.

Jele has been offered a one-year deal by Pirates, and the source has revealed that the player is happy with it, and that it’s only a matter of time before the 34-year-old puts pen to paper.

READ | EXCLUSIVE: KAIZER CHIEFS STRIKER IN DEMAND AS MORE TEAMS COME FORWARD!

“Happy wanted to stay, and the club wanted him to stay,” the source told TheSouthAfrican.com.

“There was never a doubt on our part that he will stay at Pirates. They offered him a new one-year deal and he will sign it soon,” added the source.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS LATEST | ‘CAFCL TROPHY WOULD BE MOTAUNG’S GREATEST PRESENT PRESENT’

Jele recently cemented his legendary status by setting a new record for the most starts in a Pirates jersey (376), and, therefore, overtaking Williams Okpara’s previous record (375).

Pirates are expected to make decisions on a number of players whose current contracts also come to an end on 30 June.