{{Short description|Dutch footballer (born 2005)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Antoni Milambo | image = MCI VS FER 2024 (3) (Antoni Milambo).jpg | upright = 0.8 | caption = Milambo in 2024 with Feyenoord | full_name = Antoni-Djibu Milambo | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2005|4|3}} | birth_place = Rotterdam, Netherlands<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://feyenoord.supporters.nl/nieuws/artikel/47174/Antoni-Milambo-%27Toen-ik-in-het-veld-kwam-waren-mijn-zenuwen-weg%27|title=Antoni Milambo: 'Toen ik in het veld kwam, waren mijn zenuwen weg'|website=Feyenoord.supporters.nl}}</ref> | height = 1.79 m | position = Attacking midfielder | currentclub = Brentford | clubnumber = 17 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = SV DEHMusschen | youthyears2 = 2013–2014 | youthclubs2 = SV Charlois | youthyears3 = 2014–2025 | youthclubs3 = Feyenoord | years1 = 2021–2025 | clubs1 = Feyenoord | caps1 = 40 | goals1 = 4 | years2 = 2025– | clubs2 = Brentford | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2020 | nationalteam1 = Netherlands U15 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | nationalyears2 = 2021–2022 | nationalteam2 = Netherlands U17 | nationalcaps2 = 13 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2022–2023 | nationalteam3 = Netherlands U18 | nationalcaps3 = 4 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2023 | nationalteam4 = Netherlands U19 | nationalcaps4 = 6 | nationalgoals4 = 3 | nationalyears5 = 2024– | nationalteam5 = Netherlands U21 | nationalcaps5 = 5 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | club-update = 18:47, 20 August 2025 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 19:30, 25 June 2025 (UTC) | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}} {{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-17 Championship}} {{Medal|RU|2022 Israel|}} }}
'''Antoni-Djibu Milambo''' (born 3 April 2005) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for the Premier League club Brentford.
==Club career==
=== Feyenoord === A youth product of SV DEHMusschen and SV Charlois, Milambo joined Feyenoord's academy in 2015. He signed his first professional contract with the club, to mid-2023, at the age of 15 on 15 October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/academy-talent-milambo-tekent-bij-feyenoord-151020 |title=Academy-talent Milambo (15) tekent bij Feyenoord |trans-title=Academy talent Milambo (15) signs with Feyenoord |website=www.feyenoord.nl |date=15 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022061656/https://www.feyenoord.nl/nieuws/nieuwsoverzicht/academy-talent-milambo-tekent-bij-feyenoord-151020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |language=nl}}</ref> He made his professional debut for Feyenoord in a 3–0 UEFA Europa Conference League win over FC Luzern on 12 August 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/08/12/europe/uefa-europa-conference-league/feyenoord-rotterdam-nv/fc-luzern/3568720/ |title=Feyenoord vs. Luzern - 12 August 2021 |website=Soccerway}}</ref> At 16 and 131 days, Milambo became the club's youngest ever player, taking the record from Georginio Wijnaldum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ad.nl/europees-voetbal/milambo-16-lost-wijnaldum-af-als-jongste-feyenoord-debutant-ooit-mensen-zeggen-dat-ik-op-pogba-lijk~a49d84f9/ |title=Milambo (16) lost Wijnaldum af als jongste Feyenoord-debutant ooit: ‘Mensen zeggen dat ik op Pogba lijk’ |trans-title=Milambo (16) replaces Wijnaldum as youngest Feyenoord debutant ever: 'People say I look like Pogba' |date=12 August 2021 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=ad.nl |language=nl}}</ref> On 13 July 2022, his contract at Feyenoord was extended with a year, to mid-2025.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.feyenoord.com/nl/news/milambo-blijft-langer-bij-feyenoord-130722 |title=Milambo blijft langer bij Feyenoord |trans-title=Milambo to stay at Feyenoord longer |date=13 July 2022 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=feyenoord.com |language=nl}}</ref> He made his Eredivisie debut on 2 April 2023, coming on as a substitute for Orkun Kökçü in a 1–3 derby win over Sparta Rotterdam. Milambo went on to play two more Eredivisie games as Feyenoord won their sixteenth league title.<ref name="Eredivisie"/>
On 21 October 2023, Milambo scored his first goal in professional football, scoring the fourth goal in a 4–0 home win over Vitesse.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/voetbal/artikel/5414468/feyenoord-na-zevende-zege-op-rij-met-vertrouwen-richting-lazio |title=Feyenoord na zevende zege op rij met vertrouwen richting Lazio |trans-title=Feyenoord approaches Lazio with confidence after seventh consecutive win |language=Dutch |date=21 October 2023 |access-date=22 October 2023 |website=rtlnieuws.nl}}</ref> He made his UEFA Champions League debut on 7 November 2023, replacing Quinten Timber during a 1–0 defeat to Lazio. On 16 January 2024, his contract at Feyenoord was extended with two years, to mid-2027.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.feyenoord.com/nl/news/milambo-tekent-twee-jaar-bij-160124 |title=Antoni Milambo tekent twee jaar bij |trans-title=Antoni Milambo signs two-year contract |date=16 January 2024 |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=nl |work=feyenoord.com}}</ref> He was an unused substitute as Feyenoord won the KNVB Cup by beating NEC 1–0 in the final on 21 April 2024.<ref name="KNVB Cup"/> On 4 August 2024, Milambo scored in a 4–4 draw against PSV in the Johan Cruyff Shield, before Feyenoord won trophy on penalties.<ref name="Johan Cruyff Shield"/> On 23 October 2024, Milambo was crowned UEFA's Man of the Match after scoring twice in a 3–1 away win against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/milambo-excelleert-in-champions-league-droom-die-uitkomt |title=Milambo excelleert in Champions League: 'Droom die uitkomt' |trans-title=Milambo excels in the Champions League: 'Dream come true' |language=Dutch |date=23 October 2024 |access-date=25 October 2024 |website=vi.nl}}</ref>
=== Brentford === On 3 July 2025, Milambo signed for Premier League club Brentford for an undisclosed transfer fee,<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2025 |title=Brentford sign Feyenoord midfielder Antoni Milambo |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2vq94q5l1o |access-date=3 July 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> reported to be around £16 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tabuteau |first=Sam |last2=Smith |first2=Dom |date=3 July 2025 |title=Brentford: Antoni Milambo becomes first signing of Keith Andrews' tenure in £16million move |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/brentford-antoni-milambo-becomes-first-145553215.html |access-date=3 July 2025 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>
==International career== Milambo played for multiple Netherlands national youth teams from the under-15 onwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185192/speler/26364 |title=OnsOranje |website=onsoranje.nl |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/184965/speler/26364 |title=OnsOranje |website=onsoranje.nl |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185190/speler/26364 |title=OnsOranje |website=onsoranje.nl |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185189/speler/26364 |title=OnsOranje |website=onsoranje.nl |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185185/speler/26364 |title=OnsOranje |website=onsoranje.nl |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=nl}}</ref> On 6 May 2022, he was included in the Dutch squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Israel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/nieuws/jeugd-mannen-onder-17/80165/definitieve-selectie-onder-17-voor-ek-isra%C3%ABl |title=Definitieve selectie Onder 17 voor EK in Israël |trans-title=Final Under 17 selection for European Championship in Israel |website=onsoranje.nl |date=6 May 2022 |access-date=9 May 2025 |language=nl}}</ref> He played four games at the tournament and scored in the group game against France, before the Netherlands lost the final 2–1 to France. On 5 September 2024, Milambo made his debut for the Netherlands under-21 in a 5–0 win against North Macedonia in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/reiziger-kiest-bij-herstart-jong-oranje-voor-debutanten-van-az-en-feyenoord |title=Reiziger kiest bij herstart Jong Oranje voor debutanten van AZ en Feyenoord |trans-title=Reiziger chooses debutants from AZ and Feyenoord when Jong Oranje restarts |date=5 September 2024 |access-date=9 May 2025 |website=vi.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref> On 26 May 2025, Milambo was included in the squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia by head coach Michael Reiziger.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.onsoranje.nl/nieuws/jong-oranje-mannen/82073/ek-selectie-jong-oranje-definitief |title=EK-selectie Jong Oranje is definitief |trans-title=European Championship squad for Jong Oranje is final |date=26 May 2025 |access-date=25 June 2025 |website=onsoranje.nl |language=nl}}</ref> He played three games at the tournament, before the Netherlands were knocked out by England in the semi-finals.
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 18 May 2025}}<ref>{{Soccerway|antoni-djibu-milambo/736392|access-date=23 October 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|KNVB Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Feyenoord |2021–22 |rowspan="4"|Eredivisie |0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=UECL|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}}||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |2022–23 |3||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |2023–24 |8||1||2||0||3{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League}}||0||0||0||13||1 |- |2024–25 |29||3||3||0||9{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||3||1{{efn|name=JCS|Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield}}||1||42||7 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !40!!4!!5!!0!!14!!3!!1!!1!!60!!8 |} {{notelist}}
==Personal== Born in the Netherlands, Milambo is of DR Congolese descent. He is the son of a former international Congolese football player.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ed |last=Dove |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/euro-u-17-stars-today-african-superstars-tomorrow/blt7cb7226e6bc242b4 |title=Euro U-17 stars today, African superstars tomorrow? |website=www.goal.com |date=17 May 2022}}</ref> He grew up in Pendrecht, before he moved to Feijenoord when he joined Feyenoord. He used to play football on the street with Lutsharel Geertruida and Crysencio Summerville.<ref>{{cite web |first=Martijn |last=Krabbendam |url=https://www.vi.nl/pro/overig/de-doorbraak-van-antoni-milambo-ik-wil-impact-hebben-bij-mijn-club |title=De doorbraak van Antoni Milambo: 'Ik wil impact hebben bij míjn club' |trans-title=Antoni Milambo's breakthrough: 'I want to have an impact at my club' |date=21 August 2024 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=vi.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
==Honours== '''Feyenoord''' * Eredivisie: 2022–23<ref name="Eredivisie">{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2475118-feyenoord-verslaat-go-ahead-en-is-na-zes-jaar-weer-kampioen-van-nederland |title=Feyenoord verslaat Go Ahead en is na zes jaar weer kampioen van Nederland |trans-title=Feyenoord beats Go Ahead and is champions of the Netherlands after six years |language=Dutch |date=14 May 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> * KNVB Cup: 2023–24<ref name="KNVB Cup">{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2517666-als-rook-is-opgetrokken-wint-feyenoord-bekerfinale-van-nec |title=Als rook is opgetrokken, wint Feyenoord bekerfinale van NEC |trans-title=As smoke clears, Feyenoord wins cup final against NEC |language=Dutch |date=21 April 2024 |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> * Johan Cruyff Shield: 2024<ref name="Johan Cruyff Shield">{{cite web |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2531835-feyenoord-wint-johan-cruijff-schaal-spektakelstuk-pas-beslist-na-penalty-s |title=Feyenoord wint Johan Cruijff Schaal, spektakelstuk pas beslist na penalty's |trans-title=Feyenoord wins Johan Cruijff Shield, spectacle only decided after penalties |date=4 August 2024 |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=nos.nl |language=Dutch}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerway|antoni-djibu-milambo/736392}} *[https://www.feyenoord.nl/teams/feyenoord-1/selectie/antoni-milambo Feyenoord Profile] *[https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185192/speler/26364 Ons Oranje Profile]
{{Brentford F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Milambo, Antoni}} Category:2005 births Category:Living people Category:Dutch people of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent Category:Footballers from Rotterdam Category:Dutch men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Feyenoord players Category:Brentford F.C. players Category:Eredivisie players Category:Premier League players Category:Netherlands men's youth international footballers Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:21st-century Dutch sportsmen