Georges Mukumbilwa (born September 23, 1999) is a professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for Canadian Premier League team Pacific FC. Born in the DR Congo, he represented Canada internationally at youth level.

Georges Mukumbilwa
Personal information
Full name Georges Mukumbilwa[1]
Date of birth (1999-09-23) September 23, 1999 (age 24)
Place of birth Kalima, DR Congo
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Right-back, Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Pacific FC
Number 2
Youth career
Portage Trail SC
2014–2019 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 Whitecaps FC 2 0 (0)
2019–2020 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 (0)
2022– Pacific FC 38 (0)
International career
2016 Canada U18 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2023

Early life edit

Mukumbilwa was born in Kalima, Democratic Republic of Congo, but grew up in a refugee camp in Rwanda, after fleeing a civil war in his home country..[2][3] He moved to Winnipeg, Canada with his family, at age 13[4] where began playing organized soccer with Portage Trail SC.[5] He joined the Manitoba provincial team at U15 level.[5] In 2014, Mukumbilwa joined the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy.[6] He eventually joined the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 squad for matches.[7] He was called up to the Whitecaps FC 2 squad for a match on September 2, 2016, in the USL, but did not appear in the match.[8]

Club career edit

In August 2019, Mukumbilwa signed as a homegrown player with Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps FC, after having participated in the team's preseason camp earlier in the year.[9][10] On October 6, 2019, Mukumbilwa made his first MLS appearance, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute of a 1–0 defeat to Real Salt Lake.[11] He did not appear in any matches in the 2020 season, as visa issues prevented him from travelling to the United States, where the Whitecaps played the majority of their matches, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] He was released by Vancouver on November 30, 2020, with Vancouver's CEO Axel Schuster stating "Georges is a hard working player with good character". "We felt now is the right time for him to find a new team so he can earn regular minutes...".[13] In 2021, he went on trial with Canadian Premier League club Valour FC.[14][15]

In March 2022, Mukumbilwa signed with Canadian Premier League team Pacific FC,[16][17] after having trialed with them in preseason.[18] He helped the club qualify for the playoffs in his debut season.[19] In September 2023, he signed an extension through the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025.[20][21]

International career edit

In 2016, he was called up to the Canada U18 team.[22]

Career statistics edit

As of match played October 21, 2023[23]
Club Season League Playoffs National Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2019 Major League Soccer 1 0 0 0 1 0
2020 0 0 0 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Pacific FC 2022 Canadian Premier League 17 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 20 0
2023 21 0 3 0 3 0 27 0
Total 38 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 47 0
Career total 39 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 48 0

References edit

  1. ^ Georges Mukumbilwa at the Canadian Soccer Association
  2. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (August 23, 2019). "Georges Mukumbilwa signs Homegrown Player deal with Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Major League Soccer.
  3. ^ "Holding Down the Fort: Dada-Luke and Mukumbilwa excited to return for 2024 CPL season". Pacific FC. January 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Pacific FC brings back Dada-Luke and Mukumbilwa". Pacific FC. January 11, 2024.
  5. ^ a b McColl, Michael (August 23, 2019). "Georges Mukumbilwa overcomes "really tough" start in Vancouver to become the latest Whitecaps MLS Homegrown signing". Away from the Numbers.
  6. ^ Timko, Brandon (August 23, 2019). "Hard work pays off: Mukumbilwa takes inspiration from Bair, Davies, and mom". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  7. ^ Adams, J.J. (March 22, 2019). "Whitecaps aim to come in from the cold with revitalized academy system". The Province.
  8. ^ "Georges Mukumbilwa VWFC profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  9. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign Academy product Georges Mukumbilwa". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 23, 2019.
  10. ^ Shewchuk, Devon (August 23, 2019). "Winnipegger climbs up to Whitecaps' main squad". Winnipeg Free Press.
  11. ^ Karstens-Smith, Gemma (October 6, 2020). "Vancouver Whitecaps' 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake ends dismal season". The Globe & Mail.
  12. ^ Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (December 14, 2020). "'Caps Look Back: Breaking down how the Vancouver Whitecaps U23 homegrowns and draftees did in 2020". BTS Vancouver.
  13. ^ "Whitecaps FC announce first roster moves ahead of 2021". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 30, 2020.
  14. ^ Jacques, John (May 17, 2021). "Valour FC Preseason Camp Begins With Trialists Aplenty". Northern Tribune.
  15. ^ Jacques, John (March 14, 2022). "Has Pacific Found Its Replacement For Kadin Chung?". Northern Tribune.
  16. ^ "Pacific FC signs former Whitecaps fullback Georges Mukumbilwa". Canadian Premier League. March 18, 2022.
  17. ^ Veth, Manuel (March 18, 2022). "Georges Mukumbilwa joins Pacific FC - "Got great character"". Transfermarkt.
  18. ^ Jacques, John (March 18, 2022). "Pacific Adds Former Whitecaps Youngster Georges Mukumbilwa". Northern Tribune.
  19. ^ Tobo, Michel (October 7, 2022). "D1 Canada : Nathan Mavila, Georges Mukumbilwa et Pacific FC confortent leur place pour les Play Off" [D1 Canada: Nathan Mavila, Georges Mukumbilwa and Pacific FC confirm their place for the Play Off]. Foot.cd (in French).
  20. ^ Longo, Jack (September 21, 2023). "Pacific FC re-signs Mukumbilwa to new contract". Pacific FC.
  21. ^ Jacques, John (September 21, 2023). "Pacific Re-Signs Mukumbilwa". Northern Tribune.
  22. ^ Longo, Jack (March 18, 2022). "George Mukumbilwa joins Pacific FC for 2022!". Pacific FC.
  23. ^ Georges Mukumbilwa at Soccerway

External links edit