Willy Kambwala
Congolese footballer (born 2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Willy Kambwala Ndengushi (born 25 August 2004) is a DR Congolese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Villarreal.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Willy Kambwala Ndengushi[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 25 August 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Kinshasa, DR Congo[2] | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Villarreal | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012–2013 | Elan Chevilly Larue | ||
| 2013–2018 | Les Ulis | ||
| 2018–2020 | Sochaux | ||
| 2020–2023 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023–2024 | Manchester United | 8 | (0) |
| 2024– | Villarreal | 19 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 26 May 2025 | |||
Club career
Early career
Born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Kambwala and his family moved to France when he was five.[3] 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.[4] He made the move to Manchester United in October 2020, signing on transfer deadline day.[5] 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.[6]
He signed a professional contract with Manchester United the following month.[7][8][9] Kambwala made his senior debut for United in December 2023, starting in a Premier League match against West Ham United.[10] 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.[11]
Villarreal
On 15 July 2024, Kambwala signed for La Liga club Villarreal.[12]
International career
Kambwala is eligible to represent both France and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[13] He has been called up to play for the French under-16 side.[14] In June 2025, he opted to play for the DR Congo national team.[15]
Career statistics
- As of match played 25 May 2025[16]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United U21 | 2023–24 | — | — | — | — | — | 3[b] | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Manchester United | 2023–24 | Premier League | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | |
| Villarreal | 2024–25 | La Liga | 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 21 | 0 | |||
| 2025–26 | La Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 21 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 27 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
- Includes FA Cup, Copa del Rey
- Appearances in the EFL Trophy
