Stephen Mfuni

Last updated
Stephen Mfuni
Personal information
Full name Stephen-Nevin Mutanda Mfuni [1]
Date of birth (2008-02-12) 12 February 2008 (age 17)
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*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2026– Manchester City 0 (0)
2026–Watford (loan) 1 (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 (UTC) 1 June 2024
‡ 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.

Contents

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
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2025–26 [14] Premier League 0010000010
Watford (loan) 2025-26 EFL Championship 100000000010
Career total101000000020

    Honours

    Manchester City U18

    References

    1. "2025/26 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
    2. 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.
    3. 1 2 Percival, Holly (10 January 2026). "Who is City's Stephen Mfuni?". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
    4. 1 2 Stone, Simon (10 May 2024). "Man City hit four past Leeds to win FA Youth Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. "Watford sign Man City's Mfuni on loan". BBC. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
    9. 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.
    10. "Italy U17 v England U17". BBC Sport. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
    11. Potts, Michael (11 June 2025). "England U19 Euros squad 2025 confirmed". Radio Times . Retrieved 27 October 2025.
    12. Begley, Emlyn (20 June 2025). "England knocked out of European U19 Championship after Netherlands defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
    13. "A young defender looks set for a big future at Manchester City". OneFootball. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
    14. "Games played by Stephen Mfuni in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2026.