The former Manning Rangers star spent two dismal seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns following a high-profile move from the Durban-based side, where he won the PSL Golden Boot award.

However, a return of only four goals in the two seasons at the Chloorkop side resulted in the Brazilians' refusal to offer the 27-year-old a new deal and Da Gama snapped up the highly-rated striker once his contract with Sundowns ended.

"I know he (Da Gama) will use me because he first approached me before the last season ended and I asked him to wait until my contract expired," he is reported as saying in the Sunday Sun.

Maluleke also admitted that he was more than happy to take a salary cut with Stars if it meant that he would be playing more regularly.

"I can't compare Silver Stars and Sundowns," he said. "Money is not everything and I believe I will regain my goalscoring form with Silver Stars.

"For the sake of my career, this is the way to go. The most important benefit for starting afresh is that I will be playing football instead of sitting on the bench."

Stars will be looking to Maluleke to fill the void created by the departure of striker Surprise Moriri to Sundowns.