Willy Kambwala Explained

Willy Kambwala Ndengushi (born 25 August 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Villarreal. Born in DR Congo, he has represented France at youth level.

Club career

Early career

Born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Kambwala and his family moved to France when he was five.^[1] He was raised in Les Ulis, Essonne, and started his career with Elan Chevilly Larue and Les Ulis, before joining the academy of Sochaux in 2018.

Manchester United

Kambwala was linked with a move to English teams Liverpool and Manchester United in July 2020.^[2] He made the move to Manchester United in October 2020, signing on transfer deadline day.^[3] He suffered an eleven-month injury layoff only weeks into his spell in Manchester, returning to action in September 2021, playing in an 8–2 away win against Birmingham City's under-18 team.^[4]

He signed a professional contract with Manchester United the following month.^{[5] [6] [7]} Kambwala made his senior debut for United in December 2023, starting in a Premier League match against West Ham United.^[8] With several first-team defenders sidelined through injuries, Kambwala made his second professional start on 7 April 2024, in a league game against Liverpool that ended in a 2–2 draw at Old Trafford.^[9]

Villarreal

On 15 July 2024, Kambwala signed for La Liga club Villarreal.^[10]

International career

Kambwala is eligible to represent both France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[11] He has captained the French under-16 side.^[12]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester United U21	2023–24	—	—		—		—		—		3	0	3	0
Manchester United	2023–24	Premier League	8	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		10	0
Villarreal	2024–25	La Liga	0	0	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
Career total			8	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	13	0

Honours

Manchester United

• FA Cup

2023–24^[13]

External links

• Profile at the Manchester United F.C. website

Notes and References

1. Web site: PSG-MU : des Ulis à Manchester, le grand bond de Willy Kambwala. PSG-MU: from Ulis to Manchester, the great leap of Willy Kambwala. Marc. Mechenoua. 19 October 2020. 18 February 2023. leparisien.fr. fr. 24 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231224113336/https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg-mu-des-ulis-a-manchester-le-grand-bond-de-willy-kambwala-19-10-2020-8403855.php. live.
2. Web site: Transferts : Manchester United s'intéresse à Willy Kambwala (Sochaux). Transfers: Manchester United interested in Willy Kambwala (Sochaux). 5 July 2020. 18 February 2023. lequipe.fr. fr. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218222458/https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-manchester-united-s-interesse-a-willy-kambwala-sochaux/1150068. live.
3. Web site: Who is Willy Kambwala - the French wonderkid signed by Manchester United. Freddie. Clayton. 8 October 2020. 18 February 2023. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218222457/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/who-willy-kambwala-french-wonderkid-19055541. live.
4. Web site: Manchester United youngster sends message after returning from long-term injury lay-off. George. Smith. 21 September 2021. 18 February 2023. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 15 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231215230716/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-youngster-injury-message-21627206. live.
5. Web site: Manchester United defender Willy Kambwala reacts to signing first professional contract. Richard. Fay. 9 October 2021. 18 February 2023. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 23 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231223125708/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-united-defender-willy-kambwala-21811317. live.
6. Web site: A 17 ans l'ex-Sochalien Willy Kambwala signe son premier contrat pro avec Manchester United. At 17, ex-Sochalien Willy Kambwala signs his first professional contract with Manchester United. Michel. Schuler. 9 October 2021. 18 February 2023. estrepublicain.fr. fr. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218222509/https://www.estrepublicain.fr/sport/2021/10/09/a-17-ans-l-ex-sochalien-willy-kambwala-signe-son-premier-contrat-pro-avec-manchester-united. live.
7. Web site: Willy Kambwala, cet espoir Français qui a quitté Sochaux pour Manchester United. Willy Kambwala, this French hope who left Sochaux for Manchester United. Loïc. Tanzi. 29 December 2021. 18 February 2023. rmcsport.bfmtv.com. fr. 29 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231229211750/https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/premier-league/willy-kambwala-cet-espoir-francais-qui-a-quitte-sochaux-pour-manchester-united_AV-202112290347.html. live.
8. News: 23 December 2023 . Premier League: West Ham v Man Utd - Kambwala makes debut . BBC Sport . 23 December 2023 . 6 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240106015227/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/67255954 . live .
9. Web site: Kambwala: I am proud to represent United Manchester United . 2024-04-09 . www.manutd.com . 2024-07-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240716075813/https://www.manutd.com/en/amp/news/detail/willy-kambwala-conveys-his-pride-after-impressing-for-manchester-united-against-liverpool . live .
10. Web site: Kambwala completes move to Spain . 2024-07-15 . www.manutd.com . en . 2024-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715093603/https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-defender-willy-kambwala-completes-move-to-la-liga-club-villarreal . live .
11. Web site: Découverte: Willy Kambwala, la nouvelle pépite congolaise de Manchester United. Discovery: Willy Kambwala, Manchester United's new Congolese nugget. A.. Jomni. 19 October 2021. 18 February 2023. foot-africa.com. fr. 18 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218222502/https://foot-africa.com/fr/afrique/rd-congo/willy-kambwala-manchester-united/. live.
12. Web site: Who is Willy Kambwala? The France youth international who Man Utd have thrown into the deep end. Richard. Martin. 25 December 2023. 25 December 2023. goal.com. en. 26 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231226043557/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/who-is-willy-kambwala-france-youth-international-man-utd/blt07b610cff2c47e2c#cs650587b7d25246eb. live.
13. News: Manchester City 1–2 Manchester United: Line-ups . BBC Sport . 25 May 2024 . 25 May 2024.