Stephen Mfuni

Stephen Mfuni
Mfuni with Manchester City in 2024
Personal information
Full name Stephen-Nevin Mutanda Mfuni
Date of birth (2008-02-12) 12 February 2008 (age 18)
Place of birth Wigan, England
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Coventry City
(on loan from Manchester City)
Number 12
Youth career
2016–2026 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2026– Manchester City 0 (0)
2026 → Watford (loan) 8 (0)
2026– → Coventry City (loan) 2 (1)
International career‡
2022–2023 England U16 7 (1)
2023–2024 England U17 8 (0)
2024 England U18 2 (0)
2024– England U19 17 (0)
2026– England U21 2 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 00:15, 12 October 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 21:22, 6 October 2026 (UTC)

Stephen-Nevin Mutanda Mfuni (born 12 February 2008) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Premier League club Coventry City, on loan from Manchester City.

Club career

Mfuni was born in Wigan. He joined Manchester City at under-9 level. 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. 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.

During the 2025-26 season, having been on the bench for matches in various competitions including against Manchester United, Napoli and Huddersfield Town, 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. On 30 January 2026, Mfuni joined Championship side Watford on loan until the end of the season.

In August 2026, Mfuni joined newly promoted Premier League club Coventry City on a season-long loan. He scored his first league goal for the club on 12 October 2026, scoring the fourth goal in a 4–1 win against Newcastle United.

International career

Born in England, Mfuni is of DR Congolese descent. 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.

Mfuni was a member of the England under-19 squad at the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He started all three of their games during the tournament as England were eliminated at the group stage.

In September 2026, Mfuni was called up to the England U21 squad for the first time. On 25 September he made his debut starting in a 4–2 victory against Kazakhstan at Molineux.

Style of play

Mfuni plays as a defender. Left-footed, he is known for his strength and aerial ability.

Career statistics

As of match played 12 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2025–26 Premier League 00100000—10
Watford (loan) 2025–26 EFL Championship 80————80
Coventry City (loan) 2026–27 Premier League 210010——31
Career total 10110100000121

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 Sport. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Battison, Paul (30 August 2026). "Coventry sign Mfuni on loan from Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Lansley, Peter (12 October 2026). "Coventry land long-awaited home win as Mfuni seals rout of Newcastle". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "Italy U17 v England U17". BBC Sport. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  13. ↑ Potts, Michael (11 June 2025). "England U19 Euros squad 2025 confirmed". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  14. ↑ Begley, Emlyn (20 June 2025). "England knocked out of European U19 Championship after Netherlands defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  15. ↑ Veevers, Nicholas (18 September 2026). "England MU21s squad named for final EURO Qualifiers". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
  16. ↑ Mashiter, Nick (25 September 2026). "England 4–2 Kazakhstan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
  17. ↑ "A young defender looks set for a big future at Manchester City". OneFootball. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  18. 1 2 "Games played by Stephen Mfuni in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Games played by Stephen Mfuni in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  20. ↑ McNulty, Phil (22 March 2026). "Carabao Cup final: Nico O'Reilly double helps Man City beat Arsenal at Wembley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2026.