Kaizer Chiefs Land Flavio Silva and Ethan Chislett in Transfer Double Deal
Kaizer Chiefs have stepped up their squad overhaul ahead of the 2025/26 season. They unveiled two major signings on Tuesday — Portuguese-born striker Flavio Silva and South African attacking midfielder Ethan Chislett. The pair will bolster an attacking department that has struggled for goals in recent campaigns. Both players are expected to feature in the upcoming pre-season camp in the Netherlands.
Flavio Silva: A new weapon up front
The 29-year-old Flavio Silva arrives at Naturena after a stint in Indonesia’s Liga 1 with Persebaya Surabaya. Although his most recent season saw a modest return of nine goals and two assists in 33 matches, his previous campaign in 2023/24 was far more prolific. During that period, he netted an impressive 23 goals in just 29 appearances.
Silva, who hails from Guinea-Bissau but represents Portugal by nationality, has plied his trade across multiple continents. He has had spells in the United States, Luxembourg, and Asia. Chiefs are banking on his experience and scoring pedigree to address their persistent goal drought. The team registered only 25 goals across 28 Betway Premiership fixtures last season.
Silva will wear jersey number 77. He joins the squad as part of head coach Nasreddine Nabi’s broader effort to inject sharpness into the final third.
Ethan Chislett makes long-awaited homecoming
Joining Silva at Naturena is 26-year-old Ethan Chislett. He signs as a free agent following his departure from English League One side Port Vale. Born in Durban and the son of former Maritzburg United player Donovan Chislett, the midfielder is finally making his mark in domestic football. This comes after an entire career abroad.
Chislett is an attacking midfielder with a strong reputation in the English lower leagues. Over 242 appearances in the UK, he scored 40 goals and contributed 16 assists. This solid return underlines his creativity and threat from midfield.
His decision to join Chiefs stems in part from his desire to represent Bafana Bafana. In a previous interview with FarPost, Chislett stated: “I want to play for South Africa … I know you can do that anywhere in the world, but I think the best opportunity would be to play in South Africa and represent South Africa.”
Kaizer Chiefs confirm squad for Dutch tour
Silva and Chislett join left back Nkanyiso Shinga. He was recently unveiled from Portuguese club FC Alverca. This marks the first wave of Chiefs’ transfers for the new season. All three will board the flight with the rest of the squad on Thursday for their European pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.
A club statement highlighted the intent behind the transfers: “These first three signings and more that will follow reflect the club’s commitment to improving the squad depth and overall performance for the 2025/26 season.”
Big expectations ahead for 2025/26
Kaizer Chiefs supporters have long called for decisive action in the transfer market, particularly in attack. This is where inconsistency has plagued recent campaigns. The arrival of Silva offers much-needed firepower, while Chislett brings flair and a fresh option in the midfield engine room.
As Nasreddine Nabi continues to shape his team, these new arrivals could prove to be pivotal in reviving Amakhosi’s fortunes. This is true both in the domestic league and potentially in continental competition. All eyes will be on how quickly they adapt and whether their inclusion sparks the turnaround fans have been longing for.
Related article: Kaizer Chiefs Confirm Full Pre-Season Schedule in the Netherlands
