Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is a central defender who plays for Newcastle United. The footballer was born in Bangui (Central African Republic) on 15 May 1989.

Mapou’s youth career began at the age of fifteen when he started to show great interest in football and seriously practice the sport. In 2005 Mapou came to Montpellier football academy on a tryout where an exhibition game was held. The club scouts noticed a talented youngster among his peers. So, the footballer was offered to study at the club’s academy and play for the youth team. This meant that if Mapou proved himself as a promising player he would be definitely promoted to the first team and consequently to professional football.

In 2007 the circumstances took a favourable turn for Mapou. His youth career came to an end but the world of professional football was opened for him. Mapou’s native club Montpellier offered him to sign a three-year contract. Later on Montpellier signed a young defender to a longer contract extension. Despite Mapou’s young age the head coach entrusted him the place in the major team squad practically from the very beginning of Mapou’s club career. In the course of time Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa became an effective element not only for the major team but for the entire line of defence. In about five years spent with the club Mapou has already appeared in more than 168 matches.

In January 2013 the talented defender was invited to English side Newcastle United.

From 2009 till 2010 Mapou was called up to the France U-21 team 8 times. He has also been called up to the France national team several times.