Kaizer Chiefs' new midfielder Ethan Chislett: What you need to know

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder joins Amakhosi ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, with high expectations placed on his shoulders as part of the club's ongoing rebuild.

Despite being born in South Africa, Chislett will be playing professional football in his home country for the first time this coming season. Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, he moved to England with his family at the age of seven and spent his formative years developing in European football systems.

Chislett began his football journey at local side Guildford Saints, before moving to Southampton FC  youth structures.

However, he was later released for being "too small," and moved to Aldershot Town FC, before joining non-league side Metropolitan Police FC, where his talent began to shine.

Football runs in Chislett's blood - his father played professionally in South Africa and his grandfather represented the South African national team.

"I was born in South Africa. Football has kind of been in my family, and my Dad also played football, so I was brought into the football life by them," Chislett said in a 2020 interview with Aldershot Town's official website.

"We moved over to England when I was about six or seven. I joined a local team when I was nine. My local team was Guildford Saints, because my Dad was the manager there."

Chislett's breakthrough came at Metropolitan Police FC's Under-18s, helping them reach the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup in 2016. He later progressed to the senior team in the Isthmian League before moving to Basingstoke Town and then briefly to Spain, where he played for CF Reddis and trialed with Belgian club Eupen.

Returning to England in 2018, Chislett rejoined Metropolitan Police before signing with Aldershot Town, where he impressed in the National League. His big break came in 2020 when he signed with AFC Wimbledon in League One.

He made an instant impact, scoring just 20 seconds into his debut against Northampton Town. Chislett would go on to finish his time there as the club's top scorer with 11 goals and three assists, also earning the Players' Player of the Year award.

After leaving Wimbledon, he joined Port Vale in 2023, where he made 68 appearances over two seasons, scoring 13 goals and assisting four more. Despite his solid performances, the club opted not to renew his contract at the end of the 2024/25 season, paving the way for his return to South Africa.

Chislett has already featured for Chiefs in a pre-season friendly against Dutch side Vitesse, with Amakhosi losing 2-1.

As Amakhosi fans look to the future with cautious optimism, Chislett's arrival offers hope that his technical quality and European pedigree can help restore the club's once-feared attacking force.