Isaac Mabaya

Isaac Mabaya

Mabaya playing for Liverpool 2022
Personal information
Full name	Isaac Angus Mabaya [1]
Date of birth	(2004-09-22) 22 September 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Preston, Lancashire, England
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Liverpool
Number	52
Youth career
0000–2023	Liverpool
International career‡
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019	England U15	1	(0)
2019	England U16	5	(0)
2022	England U18	1	(1)
2022	England U19	2	(0)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 November 2023 00:15 (UTC)

Isaac Angus Mabaya (born 22 September 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Liverpool. ^[2]

Early life

Born in Preston, Lancashire to Zimbabwean parents, David Mabaya and Rosina Mugabe. He joined Liverpool aged six years-old. ^{[3] [4]}

Club career

Mabaya progressed through the academy system at Liverpool. He initially played as a midfielder but transitioned to right-back during the 2020-21 season. ^[5] He signed his first professional contract with the club in September 2021. ^[6] In January 2022, he made the Liverpool first-team match day squad for the first time when he was an unused substitute in the F.A. Cup against Shrewsbury Town. ^[7]

Mabaya impressed enough during the 2021-22 season, playing at right-back for the Liverpool under-18 side, that he was chosen to tour the Far East with the Liverpool first-team squad during the summer of 2022. He had game time on the tour, and featured against Manchester United in Bangkok. ^{[8] [9]}

Mabaya's 2022-23 season was curtailed by a season-ending ankle injury in October 2022. He signed a new professional contract with Liverpool in May 2023. ^[10]

He was included in the Liverpool first-team squad for the UEFA Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven on 29 January 2025 and was named amongst the match-day substitutes. ^{[11] [12]}

International career

An England youth international, he was called up to the England U18 side for the first time in March 2022. ^[13] He scored on his debut, against Sweden U18. ^[14]

Mabaya later received his first call-up to the England U19 side in September 2022. ^[15] He made his debut that month in a 6-0 home win against Georgia U19, providing an assist for Liverpool teammate Oakley Cannonier. ^{[16] [17]}

In November 2023, Mabaya was called-up by Baltemar Brito to the senior Zimbabwe national football team for FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Nigeria. ^{[18] [19]} However, he did not feature in the finalised squad for the matches. ^{[20] [21]}

References

1. "Latest updated Premier League squad lists for 2023/24". Premier League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
2. "Isaac Mabaya". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
3. "Isaac Mabaya signs new contract with Liverpool FC". New Zimbabwe. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
4. "'Its too complicated for my son to play for Zimbabwe'". Soccer24.co.zw. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
5. Doyle, Ian (1 November 2020). "Liverpool youngster responds to extra demand as new right-back emerges". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
6. Chigandiwa, Tafadzwa (July 6, 2022). "Zim starlet Isaac Mabaya (17) trains with Liverpool FC senior team". Nehandadio.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
7. "Young Zimbabwean Liverpool player turns down Warriors for England". Zimbabwe Mail. March 22, 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
8. McDonald, Kiefer (22 July 2023). "Liverpool have transfer plan for forgotten starlet who shone against Manchester United". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
9. Ndoro, Tim. E. (July 13, 2022). "Liverpool Fans Praise 17-Year-Old Zimbabwean Isaac Mabaya Following Lively Performance Against Manchester United". Iharare.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
10. Holt, Matthew (13 May 2023). "Liverpool agree contract with young defender who has caught Vitor Matos' eye". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
11. "PSV VS. LIVERPOOL". Soccerway. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
12. Hunter, Andy (28 January 2025). "Arne Slot to rest nine senior Liverpool players in Champions League shuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
13. Chikamhi, Eddie (22 March 2022). "Mabaya, Nydam Warriors we could lose". Herald.co.zw. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
14. "Agony for Zimbabwe as Mabaya strikes on England U-18 debut". Soccer24.co.zw. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
15. Chigandiwa, Tafadzwa (September 21, 2022). "Zimbabwean teen sensation Isaac Mabaya gets England U-19 call up". Nehandaradio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
16. "ENGLAND U19 VS GEORGIA U19 6-0". Soccerway. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
17. "Mabaya makes England Under-19 debut". Herald.co.zw. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
18. Rushwaya, Simba (1 November 2023). "Warriors coach Brito names provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers". Zim Live. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
19. "Brito Justifies Warriors Team Selection". Zimeye.net. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
20. "My son wont play for zimbabwe against super eagles". Owngoalnigeria. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
21. "5 England based players shun invitation by Zimbabwe to play against Super Eagles in World Cup qualifiers". Owngoalnigeria. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.

External links

• Isaac Mabaya – UEFA competition record ( archive )