Isaac Mbenza Explained

Isaac Mbenza
Upright:1.3
Full Name:Isaac Mbenza[1]
Birth Date:8 March 1996
Birth Place:Saint-Denis, France
Height:1.87 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Charleroi
Clubnumber:7
Youthyears1:2005-2011
Youthyears2:2011-2012
Youthclubs2:FC Brussels
Youthyears3:2012-2013
Youthclubs3:KV Mechelen
Years1:2013–2016
Clubs1:Valenciennes B
Caps1:30
Goals1:3
Years2:2015–2016
Clubs2:Valenciennes
Caps2:48
Goals2:7
Years3:2016–2017
Clubs3:Standard Liège
Caps3:21
Goals3:1
Years4:2017–2019
Clubs4:Montpellier
Caps4:54
Goals4:11
Years5:2018–2019
Clubs5:Huddersfield Town (loan)
Caps5:22
Goals5:1
Years6:2019–2021
Clubs6:Huddersfield Town
Caps6:41
Goals6:5
Years7:2020
Clubs7:Amiens SC (loan)
Caps7:3
Goals7:0
Years8:2021–2022
Clubs8:Qatar SC
Caps8:10
Goals8:0
Years9:2022–
Clubs9:Charleroi
Caps9:59
Goals9:5
Nationalyears1:2013
Nationalteam1:Belgium U17
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2015
Nationalteam2:Belgium U19
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2017–2019
Nationalteam3:Belgium U21
Nationalcaps3:16
Nationalgoals3:2
Club-Update:7 March 2024

Isaac Mbenza (born 8 March 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Belgian Pro League club Charleroi. Born in France and eligible to represent DR Congo and Belgium, he has represented the latter at several youth levels.

Personal life

Mbenza was born in France and is of Congolese descent, and emigrated to Belgium at 5.[2] [3] [4]

Club career

Mbenza started playing at at the age of 9 before moving on at the age of 15 to FC Brussels for a season, followed by another season at KV Mechelen before his move to Valenciennes FC.[4]

Montpellier

On 31 January 2017, Mbenza signed for French club Montpellier.[5] [6]

Huddersfield Town

On 9 August 2018, Mbenza moved to Premier League club Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan with the obligation of a transfer in the summer of 2019.[7]

He made his debut as a 68th minute substitute in a goalless draw with Cardiff City on 25 August 2018. On 5 May 2019, he scored his only goal in the 2018–19 season, coming as a 60th minute equaliser in the 1–1 draw with Manchester United.[8]

Following Huddersfield's relegation to the EFL Championship, Mbenza's loan was made permanent on 9 July 2019 until the end of 2020–21 season, with the club having the option of a further season.[9]

He only made 6 appearances for Huddersfield in the 2019–20 season, and departed on loan to Amiens on 3 February 2020 for the remainder of the season.[10]

He featured more under the manager, Carlos Corberàn, who had been appointed in advance of 2020–21 season. He made 37 appearances scoring 5 goals, with 3 coming direct from free kicks in games against Birmingham City,[11] Sheffield Wednesday[12] and Middlesbrough.[13]

On 11 May 2021, Huddersfield exercised their option to extend Mbenza's contract up to the end of the 2021–22 season.[14] But on 6 September, his contract was terminated.[15]

Charleroi

On 14 March 2022, Mbenza signed a three-month contract with Charleroi, with an option to extend.[16]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valenciennes B2013–14CFA 2101101
2014–15182182
2015–162020
Total303000000303
Valenciennes2014–15Ligue 2131000000131
2015–16356201000386
Total487201000517
Standard Liège2016–17Belgian First Division A2110060271
Montpellier2016–17Ligue 1163000000163
2017–183883121004310
Total54113121005913
Huddersfield2018–19Premier League221101000241
2019–20Championship5000100060
Total271102000301
Career total1702361516018725

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2018/19 Premier League squads confirmed . Premier League . 3 September 2018 . 4 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Découverte: Isaac Mbenza belgo-congolais de Standard de Liège !. 14 December 2016.
  3. Web site: België of Congo: Nationale belofte heeft zijn beslissing gemaakt. 26 March 2017.
  4. Web site: ISAAC MBENZA: MY LIFE IN WEST YORKSHIRE. Huddersfield Ton. 4 October 2018. 22 June 2019.
  5. Web site: Isaac Mbenza to Montpellier. Standard Liège. 30 January 2017. 25 May 2017.
  6. Web site: Isaac Mbenza nouveou Pailladin. Montpellier HSC. fr. 30 January 2017. 25 May 2017.
  7. News: Huddersfield sign winger Mbenza on loan. en-GB. BBC Sport. 27 May 2021.
  8. News: Man Utd miss out on top four after draw. en-GB. BBC Sport. 27 May 2021.
  9. Web site: TRANSFER: MBENZA JOINS TOWN PERMANENTLY. 27 May 2021. www.htafc.com. en-gb.
  10. Web site: CONFIRMED: MBENZA LOAN TO AMIENS APPROVED. 27 May 2021. www.htafc.com. en-gb.
  11. News: Blues score late to beat Huddersfield. en-GB. BBC Sport. 27 May 2021.
  12. News: Terriers beat Owls in Yorkshire derby. en-GB. BBC Sport. 27 May 2021.
  13. News: Boro come from behind to beat Terriers. en-GB. BBC Sport. 27 May 2021.
  14. Web site: RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED. 27 May 2021. www.htafc.com. en-gb.
  15. News: ISAAC MBENZA DEPARTS HUDDERSFIELD TOWN . 6 September 2021 . . 6 September 2021.
  16. Charleroi. ISAAC MBENZA DÉBARQUE AU SPORTING !. 14 March 2022. 15 March 2022. fr.