Edson Castillo makes way as Kaizer Chiefs reshape midfield engine under Nasreddine Nabi

Castillo's exit - confirmed after a mutual termination agreement - comes as no surprise after he was left out of the travelling squad for the club's two-week pre-season tour in the Netherlands, FarPost reported.

The 31-year-old, once hailed as a marquee signing under Molefi Ntseki in mid-2023, now finds himself on the lookout for a new club.

His debut season was promising, with five goals in 32 appearances. But despite a decent goal return, his overall contribution to the team's tactical setup was often questioned.

The following campaign proved even more challenging, as injury woes, including a fractured fibula, saw him sidelined for the bulk of the season.

Even after regaining fitness, Castillo struggled to recapture form or justify a place in the squad, prompting the technical team - led by Nasreddine Nabi - to opt for a clean break.

Chiefs have since bolstered their midfield options with the signing of Siphesihle Ndlovu from SuperSport United, a move that further pushed Castillo down the pecking order.

His exit also frees up a valuable foreign player slot, giving Nabi greater flexibility to reshape the team according to his vision.

Castillo joins a growing list of offseason departures from Naturena, including Ranga Chivaviro, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Sabelo Radebe, Bongani Sam and Edmilson Dove - signalling a significant shake-up as Chiefs look to build a more competitive squad.

In turn, the club has brought in fresh faces, including attacking midfielder Ethan Chislett, Portuguese striker Flavio Silva, left-backs Nkanyiso Shinga and Paseka Mako, and right-back Thabiso Monyane.

However, the key focus now lies in securing a central defensive midfielder who fits the mold of a modern-day playmaker - defensively solid, tactically disciplined, and technically sharp.

According to reports, the club has widened its search and is considering both domestic and international options.

For Castillo, a new chapter beckons. His representatives are already working to find him a new home as he bids farewell to Soweto after a brief, stop-start stint that never quite took off.