It’s been ten years since Kevin Mbabu made his debut in English football as a bright youth at Newcastle United. During his four years in Tyneside, he only made three league appearances. But, after a career that saw him excel at Swiss side Young Boys and show flashes of promise at Wolfsburg, he is back in England, this time to help Fulham stay in the Premier League.
Kevin Mbabu began his career with the junior squad of Swiss second-division club Servette, where he was born in Chene-Bougeries to a Congolese mother and a French father. After breaking into the main squad, the 6’0″ defender went on to play for Newcastle United’s U23s and senior side. He made three Premier League games in three seasons in England, as well as a loan spell with Scottish record champions Glasgow Rangers, before returning to Switzerland with Young Boys in 2016.
Kevin Mbabu took his time at Wolfsburg, appearing only twice in the club’s first 14 league games of the 2019/20 season. However, he became a regular after Matchday 15, when Mbabu scored his first Wolves goal in the 82nd minute of Matchday 16’s 1-1 tie with Schalke. In 20 Bundesliga games, he finished his first season with three league goals and two assists. Mbabu missed the first ten rounds of top-flight fixtures in 2020/21 due to injury, but he returned to the side to great effect, contributing to 11 clean sheets from 22 matches – including a club-record seven shutouts in a row – as Wolfsburg finished fourth and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
The 27-year-old was signed from Wolfsburg for €5.5 million (£4.6 million, $5.6 million) plus €2 million in add-ons. Wolfsburg retains a 10% sell-on clause.
Kevin Mbabu is Fulham’s fourth summer addition, and he, like their previous three newcomers, has experience in both international football (22 caps for Switzerland) and the Champions League.
Fulham and Marco Silva took their time finalizing the transaction because they needed another right-back to compete with Kenny Tete. They first considered Liverpool midfielder Neco Williams, who spent the second part of last season on loan at Craven Cottage. The Wales international’s price tag, though, was excessive, and he has joined Nottingham Forest in a deal for up to £17 million.
Kevin Mbabu has been on Fulham’s radar since the 2017-18 season when he was named Swiss Super League player of the year.
After two approaches from Fulham were put back, discussions moved in early July, with a tentative agreement struck for a price. More talks about the deal’s structure ensued before personal details were worked upon. Mbabu had a physical on July 21 in Portugal, where Fulham was on a pre-season tour. On Tuesday night, the move was finalized in London.
Fulham may be confident that they have bought a man in his prime who can compete with Netherlands international Tete. Mbabu’s four years on Tyneside qualify him as a homegrown player, which is an added plus.
Kevin Mbabu made his international debut against Iceland at the age of 23. “He was seen as the heir of (long-term right-back) Stephan Lichtsteiner at the time,” King adds. “Since Lichtsteiner retired in 2020, his prospects have improved, although Silvan Widmer has also performed admirably for Basel.”
Mbabu appeared in all five of Switzerland’s Euro 2020 games, and in addition to keeping Fulham in the Premier League, he will be aiming for a World Cup berth this winter.
“This is a watershed moment for Mbabu.” “Kevin Mbabu is 27 years old, and that potential needs to come to fulfilment right now,” King adds. “He’s proven what he can do in Switzerland, but you get the impression he really needs to make it happen at Fulham or he’ll wind himself back there.”
