Mthembu's contract with Chiefs expired at the end of last

season.

He joined them two seasons ago from the United States where he was furthering his studies.

The pocket-size Mthembu was a regular at Chiefs, helping them to win various competitions like the Confederation of African Football Caf Cup Winners Cup (Mandela Cup) and Coca-Cola last season.

He is likely to make his debut for The Brazillians when they

entertain Ajax Cape Town in a Coca-Cola Cup game at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.

Mthembu is reported to have left Amakhosi after failing to agree on terms with the club's management for a new contract. His move to Sundowns comes a few days after Fabian McCarthy left Sundowns.

McCarthy, the former Under-23 international and Bafana Bafana defender whose contract with Sundowns has expired, is now linked to Chiefs.

The departure of Mthembu is likely to be a blessing in disguise for Buti Sithole, a young gifted winger who was recently promoted by Chiefs after impressive in the juniors.

Sithole is also a regular player at the Amajita, the South

African Under-20 national who are now involved in the 2003 African Youth Championships qualifiers.