Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs striker Leonardo Castro will bring his playing days to a close at the end of this season. The Colombian forward has confirmed he will retire with Greenville Triumph, the American third-tier club partly owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldinho.

Greenville Triumph announced that Castro’s contract runs out on 30 November 2026. After that date the 37-year-old will hang up his boots for good. The club already paid tribute to him and teammate Brandon Fricke on 17 October before their final home match at GE Vernova Park. Officials recognised both players for the contribution they have made to the team.

Castro arrived at Greenville in March 2023 as a free agent, more than six months after he left Naturena. In just under four seasons he has scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 104 appearances. Those numbers show he remained a reliable marksman even in the later stages of his career.

South African fans still remember the energetic striker who first joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2015. He helped the Brazilians win league titles and the CAF Champions League before moving across to Kaizer Chiefs. At Amakhosi he became a regular goal threat and a popular figure among the supporters.

Ronaldinho became a co-owner of Greenville Triumph in October 2024. The presence of the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner has given the modest American club extra attention, and it now forms a neat final chapter for Castro’s long journey through football.

Castro’s career took him from Colombia to Peru, Bolivia, South Africa and finally the United States. Through it all he kept scoring and working hard. As the season winds down, South African supporters will surely look back with fondness on the goals and energy he brought to the PSL. The Colombian will leave the game having given everything at every stop along the way.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2117232819659297278