Stephen Mfuni
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen-Nevin Mutanda Mfuni[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 February 2008 | ||
| Place of birth | Wigan, England | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Watford (on loan from Manchester City) | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2026 | Manchester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2026– | Manchester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Watford (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | England U16 | 7 | (1) |
| 2023–2024 | England U17 | 8 | (0) |
| 2024 | England U18 | 2 | (0) |
| 2024– | England U19 | 17 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 00:15, 5 February 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 01:22, 19 November 2025 (UTC) | |||
Stephen-Nevin Mutanda Mfuni (born 12 February 2008) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Watford on loan from Manchester City.
Club career
Mfuni was born in Wigan.[2] He joined Manchester City at under-9 level.[3] Capable of playing centre half or left back, he scored for Manchester City as they defeated Leeds United in the 2023–24 FA Youth Cup final.[4] Mfuni featured for the Manchester City first team in their preseason tour of North America in 2024. That year, he was included in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2024: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs series in October 2024.[5]
During the 2025-26 season, having been on the bench for matches in various competitions including against Manchester United, Napoli and Huddersfield Town,[6] Mfuni made his first team debut on 10 January 2026 as a half-time substitute for Nathan Aké in an FA Cup third round tie against Exeter City, which finished 10-1.[3][7] On 30 January 2026, Mfuni joined Championship side Watford on loan until the end of the season.[8]
International career
Born in England, Mfuni is of DR Congolese descent.[9] He is an England youth international. Having already represented England at U16 level, Mfuni was part of the England U17 side at the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and started their quarter-final defeat against Italy.[10]
Mfuni was a member of the England under-19 squad at the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[11] He started all three of their games during the tournament as England were eliminated at the group stage.[12]
Style of play
Mfuni plays as a defender. Left-footed, he is known for his strength and aerial ability.[13]
Career statistics
- As of match played 10 January 2026
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City | 2025–26[14] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Watford (loan) | 2025-26 | EFL Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Career total | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
Honours
Manchester City U18
References
- ^ "2025/26 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Bray, Joe (17 January 2025). "Meet the 'incredible' Man City youngster loved by coaches and Pep Guardiola amid transfer interest". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ a b Percival, Holly (10 January 2026). "Who is City's Stephen Mfuni?". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ a b Stone, Simon (10 May 2024). "Man City hit four past Leeds to win FA Youth Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (14 October 2024). "Next Generation 2024: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Marshall, Tyrone (25 September 2025). "'Tough bit now' - What next for Man City academy stars after Huddersfield debuts". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ Bajkowski, Simon (10 January 2026). "Man City player ratings vs Exeter with one 9/10 as two debutants score". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ "Watford sign Man City's Mfuni on loan". BBC. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ Luemba, Timothée-David (20 July 2024). "Actualités/Tournée américaine : Joël Ndala, Luke Mbete-Tabu et Stephen Mfuni font partie du groupe Cityzens!" (in French). Iris Football. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Italy U17 v England U17". BBC Sport. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Potts, Michael (11 June 2025). "England U19 Euros squad 2025 confirmed". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Begley, Emlyn (20 June 2025). "England knocked out of European U19 Championship after Netherlands defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "A young defender looks set for a big future at Manchester City". OneFootball. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Stephen Mfuni in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
External links
- Stephen Mfuni on Instagram
- Stephen Mfuni at Soccerway