Westerlo’s Alcocer heads east as Union signs South Africa’s Mofokeng

The Costa Rican winger Josimar Alcocer will not return to KVC Westerlo after three seasons in Belgium. The 21-year-old leaves De Kemphanen for Sparta Praag, the Czech vice-champions, following 80 appearances, five goals and six assists. Alcocer arrived from Costa Rica in the summer of 2023 and quickly became a first-team regular at the Kuipje. His development earned him 34 caps and seven international goals for Los Ticos, though he did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America. At Union, the club confirmed Relebohile Mofokeng as their new signing. The 21-year-old South African completes a move from Orlando Pirates on a contract until mid-2030, with a club option for an additional year. Mofokeng featured twice for Bafana Bafana at the 2026 World Cup, including a start in the knockout-stage defeat to Canada. He also won the South African league title with Orlando Pirates last season and arrives with Champions League ambitions in Brussels.

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The Orlando Pirates announced the departure on social media, noting a pre-tournament agreement with Union had been reached but kept under wraps while Bafana Bafana remained in the competition. The transfer still requires Mofokeng’s personal agreement and a medical. Westerlo, meanwhile, have moved quickly to replace Alcocer. The club announced the arrival of Reno Münz, a 20-year-old German centre-back from Greuther Fürth, on a four-year deal. Münz arrives with 29 appearances for the German second-division side and is described as technically gifted with strong game intelligence and high work rate. Goalkeeper Bill Lathouwers also joins Westerlo on a four-year contract after 55 appearances and 19 clean sheets for RWDM Brussels. He will compete with Andreas Jungdal for the starting spot at the Kuipje.

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David Amegnaglo completes Westerlo’s quartet of new arrivals. The 21-year-old French attacker arrives from Freiburg’s youth system and signs for four seasons. The club highlights his pace, dribbling and versatility in attack as key assets. The flurry of activity at Westerlo follows the exit of several players, including Nacho Ferri to Feyenoord and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh to an unnamed destination. The club’s transfer business underscores a clear rebuilding phase ahead of the new campaign.