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 18)
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) 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.

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 00100000—10
Watford (loan) 2025-26 EFL Championship 200000000020
Career total201000000030

Honours

Manchester City U18

Manchester City

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.
  15. ↑ McNulty, Phil. "Carabao Cup final: Nico O'Reilly double helps Man City beat Arsenal at Wembley". BBC Sport.