From development graduate to first-team star, Devin Titus has reflected on his memorable journey with Stellenbosch FC after completing a move to Moroccan champions Maghreb Association Sportive de Fès.

Six years after joining Stellenbosch FC, Titus’ spell with the Club came to an end this week after Maghreb Association Sportive de Fès (MAS Fes) activated the buy-out clause in his contract to acquire his services ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The 25-year-old departed with 36 goals in 176 appearances for Stellenbosch, ranking second in both the Club’s all-time appearances and goalscorers’ lists, and fittingly found the back of the net during his final outing against Polokwane City last week.

“It’s an emotional feeling for me to leave Stellenbosch FC,” Titus said in his farewell interview.

“Stellenbosch is the team that gave me the opportunity to become a professional footballer, and I will always be grateful for that, but I am excited to join MAS Fes. They are the Moroccan champions, and one of the biggest clubs in Africa, so I’m excited to experience a new challenge and test myself at this level.

“There will never be a right or perfect time to leave a club like Stellenbosch, but it has always been important for me that if I left, I would do it after leaving the Club in a better position. We’ve achieved incredible things together, and last season, I couldn’t just leave because we were fighting against relegation at one point, so it was important for me to stay and help the team, and I believe that I have done that.

“Now, it will be my first time playing outside of the Betway Premiership, so it’s a chance for me to feel what it’s like to play in a different country, to play in the Champions League, and to compete at the highest level in African football, and, hopefully, I am able to carry the flag abroad.”

Having made his professional debut with Stellenbosch in 2021, Titus went on to win the Carling Knockout in 2023 and was named Player of the Tournament for his efforts, before helping the Club qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time and reach back-to-back MTN8 finals.

“I never imagined that I would have achieved all that I did with Stellenbosch,” he added. “Having started with the reserves and won the DDC and Next Gen, and then going to the first team and winning the Carling Knockout and playing in the Confederation Cup, it was a great experience for me.

“I always think back to the game against Cape Town City in 2023. We were in a very difficult position at the time in the league, and we were two-nil down. I just remember coach Steve [Barker] reminding us of what he always said: that we don’t lose derbies.

“We were at home too, and at the end of the day I scored two goals to help us win 3-2. From that point we just rose in the league table. That game gave us a platform to build on, and it was a springboard for me in many ways. It was a very special game for me, and there were many more like that. It’s emotional for me to look back on because it’s been such a rollercoaster.”

Titus won Stellenbosch FC’s internal Young Player of the Season award in 2023, the Players’ Player of the Season accolade in 2024, and the Golden Boot in 2025, and became one of the clearest examples of the Club’s development pathway after progressing from the reserves to becoming one of the most important first-team players.

“I always tried my best to give a good representation of myself by trying to be humble and hardworking,” Titus said. “People have said I represented the Club well because of this, but these are just my values, and fortunately Stellenbosch is a club that shares those values. This was just the perfect club for me.

“The town, the community, and the people also all make Stellenbosch a wonderful place to be, and whether it was at home or in Cape Town, or even across the country, our fans always carried us. I will never forget the support that they showed me.

“There have been so many people who have played a part in my journey at Stellenbosch, whether it’s coaches, staff, or fans, and whether it’s big or small, and I would like to thank them all, as well as my family and friends who have supported me throughout.

“I would love to come back to the Club one day once I’ve achieved all the new things I hope to achieve and give back to the youngsters and the community. It would be special to be able to give something back to the people that have all done so much for me. I am where I am today because of Stellenbosch Football Club.”

By Liam Bekker for Stellenbosch FC.