Isaac Mabaya
Isaac Angus Mabaya (born 22 September 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays for Liverpool.[2]
| Mabaya playing for Liverpool 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Isaac Angus Mabaya[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 22 September 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Preston, Lancashire, England | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Liverpool | ||
| Number | 53 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2023 | Liverpool | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019 | England U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 2019 | England U16 | 5 | (0) |
| 2022 | England U18 | 1 | (1) |
| 2022 | England U19 | 2 | (0) |
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 November 2023 00:15 (UTC) | |||
Early life edit
Born in Preston, Lancashire to Zimbabwean parents. His father is David Mabaya and his mother Rosina Mugabe. He joined Liverpool aged six years-old.[3][4]
Career edit
Mabaya progressed through the academy system at Liverpool. He initially played as a midfielder but transitioned to right-back during the 2020-21 season.[5] He signed his first professional contract with the club in September 2021.[6] In January 2022, he made the Liverpool first-team match day squad for the first time when he was an unused substitute in the F.A. Cup against Shrewsbury Town.[7]
Mabaya impressed enough during the 2021-22 season, playing at right-back for the Liverpool under-18 side, that he was chosen to tour the Far East with the Liverpool first-team squad during the summer of 2022. He had game time on the tour, and featured against Manchester United in Bangkok.[8][9]
Mabaya's 2022-23 season was curtailed by a season-ending ankle injury in October 2022. He signed a new professional contract with Liverpool in May 2023.[10]
International career edit
An England youth international, he was called up to the England U18 side for the first time in March 2022.[11] He scored on his debut, against Sweden U18.[12]
Mabaya later received his first call-up to the England U19 side in September 2022.[13] He made his debut that month in a 6-0 home win against Georgia U19, providing an assist for Liverpool teammate Oakley Cannonier.[14][15]
In November 2023, Mabaya was called-up by Baltemar Brito to the senior Zimbabwe national football team for FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Nigeria.[16][17] However, he did not feature in the finalised squad for the matches.[18][19]
References edit
- ^ "Latest updated Premier League squad lists for 2023/24". Premier League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Isaac Mabaya". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Isaac Mabaya signs new contract with Liverpool FC". New Zimbabwe. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "'Its too complicated for my son to play for Zimbabwe'". Soccer24.co.zw. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Doyle, Ian (1 November 2020). "Liverpool youngster responds to extra demand as new right-back emerges". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Chigandiwa, Tafadzwa (July 6, 2022). "Zim starlet Isaac Mabaya (17) trains with Liverpool FC senior team". Nehandadio.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Young Zimbabwean Liverpool player turns down Warriors for England". Zimbabwe Mail. March 22, 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Kiefer (22 July 2023). "Liverpool have transfer plan for forgotten starlet who shone against Manchester United". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Ndoro, Tim. E. (July 13, 2022). "Liverpool Fans Praise 17-Year-Old Zimbabwean Isaac Mabaya Following Lively Performance Against Manchester United". Iharare.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Holt, Matthew (13 May 2023). "Liverpool agree contract with young defender who has caught Vitor Matos' eye". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Chikamhi, Eddie (22 March 2022). "Mabaya, Nydam Warriors we could lose". Herald.co.zw. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Agony for Zimbabwe as Mabaya strikes on England U-18 debut". Soccer24.co.zw. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Chigandiwa, Tafadzwa (September 21, 2022). "Zimbabwean teen sensation Isaac Mabaya gets England U-19 call up". Nehandaradio. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "ENGLAND U19 VS GEORGIA U19 6-0". Soccerway. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Mabaya makes England Under-19 debut". Herald.co.zw. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ Rushwaya, Simba (1 November 2023). "Warriors coach Brito names provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers". Zim Live. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Brito Justifies Warriors Team Selection". Zimeye.net. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "My son wont play for zimbabwe against super eagles". Owngoalnigeria. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "5 England based players shun invitation by Zimbabwe to play against Super Eagles in World Cup qualifiers". Owngoalnigeria. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.