Isaac Mbenza
Upright1.3
Full nameIsaac Mbenza[1]
Birth date8 March 1996 (age 30)
Birth placeSaint-Denis, France
Height1.87 m
PositionForward
CurrentclubCharleroi
Clubnumber7
Youthyears 12005-2011
Youthclubs 1ROFC Stockel
Youthyears 22011-2012
Youthclubs 2FC Brussels
Youthyears 32012-2013
Youthclubs 3KV Mechelen
Years 12013–2016
Clubs 1Valenciennes B
Caps 130
Goals 13
Years 22015–2016
Clubs 2Valenciennes
Caps 248
Goals 27
Years 32016–2017
Clubs 3Standard Liège
Caps 321
Goals 31
Years 42017–2019
Clubs 4Montpellier
Caps 454
Goals 411
Years 52018–2019
Clubs 5→ Huddersfield Town (loan)
Caps 522
Goals 51
Years 62019–2021
Clubs 6Huddersfield Town
Caps 641
Goals 65
Years 72020
Clubs 7→ Amiens SC (loan)
Caps 73
Goals 70
Years 82021–2022
Clubs 8Qatar SC
Caps 810
Goals 80
Years 92022–
Clubs 9Charleroi
Caps 9110
Goals 98
Nationalyears 12013
Nationalteam 1Belgium U17
Nationalcaps 12
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 22015
Nationalteam 2Belgium U19
Nationalcaps 21
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalyears 32017–2019
Nationalteam 3Belgium U21
Nationalcaps 316
Nationalgoals 32
Club-update11 February 2026

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 ROFC Stockel 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.[7] 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

[17]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valenciennes B2013–14CFA 2101———101
2014–15182———182
2015–1620———20
Total303000000303
Valenciennes2014–15Ligue 2131000000131
2015–16356201000386
Total487201000517
Standard Liège2016–17Belgian First Division A21100—60271
Montpellier2016–17Ligue 1163000000163
2017–183883121004310
Total54113121005913
Huddersfield2018–19Premier League221101000241
2019–20Championship5000100060
Total271102000301
Career total1702361516018725

References

  1. ^ "2018/19 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Découverte: Isaac Mbenza belgo-congolais de Standard de Liège !". 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  3. ^ "België of Congo: Nationale belofte heeft zijn beslissing gemaakt". 26 March 2017.
  4. ^ "ISAAC MBENZA: MY LIFE IN WEST YORKSHIRE". Huddersfield Ton. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Isaac Mbenza to Montpellier". Standard Liège. 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  6. ^ "Isaac Mbenza nouveou Pailladin" (in French). Montpellier HSC. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Huddersfield sign winger Mbenza on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Man Utd miss out on top four after draw". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  9. ^ "TRANSFER: MBENZA JOINS TOWN PERMANENTLY". www.htafc.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  10. ^ "CONFIRMED: MBENZA LOAN TO AMIENS APPROVED". www.htafc.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Blues score late to beat Huddersfield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Terriers beat Owls in Yorkshire derby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Boro come from behind to beat Terriers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  14. ^ "RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED". www.htafc.com. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  15. ^ "ISAAC MBENZA DEPARTS HUDDERSFIELD TOWN". Huddersfield Town A.F.C.. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  16. ^ "ISAAC MBENZA DÉBARQUE AU SPORTING !" (in French). Charleroi. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  17. ^