Siphiwe ‘Shabba’ Tshabalala expressed his gratitude to the Executive Chairman and the Club for the professionalism they showed during the contract negotiations. He insisted that he is not bitter not to have joined Crystal Palace.

Siphiwe Tshabalala was speaking to kaizerchiefs.com on Wednesday after signing a three year deal with the Glamour Boys.

Shabba, you should be glad that you have finally renewed your contract with the Club…

Siphiwe Tshabalala: Yes, I am very happy to have extended my stay with the Club. The Club has been good to me since my arrival here and they gave me a good deal. Chiefs are like my second home and I am pleased to stay.

I spoke to some of my teammates and they are also delighted that I have extended my stay with the team. I believe that I have a lot to offer in the team going forward.

You seem to enjoy yourself on Monday wearing the no. 10 jersey when Chiefs Reserves played against FC AK

Siphiwe Tshabalala: ha ha ha…I was just happy to be playing and donning the gold and black after all the speculation about my future. I was just given the no. 10 for that game and for me I am happy to be wearing the no. 14 jersey.

Last week you requested a meeting with Executive Chairman, Kaizer Motaung…

Siphiwe Tshabalala: I requested to meet the Chairman to ask him to give me more time to think about my future. I am grateful that he allowed me to do that. I gave him my word that if I have to leave Chiefs it would be for a team in Europe and through the blessings of the Club. He also told me that if something comes up - he will not stand in my way. The Chairman was very understanding.

Having given me the time I went back to him and told him; “I am ready to renew”. He was delighted with my decision. It is now up to me to repay the faith the Chairman and the Club has shown in me and that I can only do on the field.

What was the motivation behind your decision to renew your contract?

Siphiwe Tshabalala: I should make it clear that it was my decision to stay with the team and I was never put under pressure. I am grateful to my Manager, Jazzman Mahlakgane. He was very supportive throughout the process.

It remains my ambition to win the league title with the Club. I am lucky to have collected a few trophies during my stay since my arrival back in 2006. I want to win the league now. Having won it with Free State Stars in the first division, I know how it feels and I want to feel the same way with Chiefs. We are only three points adrift to leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and we believe that winning the league is within our reach.

The fans were very worried about your future…

Siphiwe Tshabalala: I would like to take this opportunity and thank them for their support not only now but throughout my stay at Naturena. They would stop me; “When are you signing…are you going overseas?” asking all sorts of questions. They really love the Club and all we want to do as players is to give back to them.

I also want to make it clear to the fans that I am not bitter that I have not managed to get a contract in Europe. I am happy that I will be playing in front of them. I share the ambition to win trophies with this Club with them.