ZIMBABWEAN teenage sensation Matthew Mparaganda has become one of the youngest players to be offered a professional contract in the Netherlands after signing his first pro deal with Dutch top tier football giants Feyenoord at the age of 15.
The highly-rated left-back, who was born in the Netherlands to Zimbabwean parents, signed a three-year contract at a ceremony held at the Feyenoord Stadium which is popularly known as De Kuip.
The deal will see Mparaganda remaining with the club until mid-2026.
Mparaganda has established himself as a one of the club’s brightest young prospects since joining the Eredivisie side in 2018.
After joining Feyenoord from FC Utrecht, the gifted defender who can also play as a left-sided winger, has progressed from the Under-11s age group to being an integral member of the club’s Under-16 squad.
The youngster said after making history by signing pro-terms at 15, his main goal is now to play for Feyenoord’s first team.
“It's a special day for me,” said Mparaganda after the signing ceremony on Tuesday.
“Not many footballers can say that they signed a contract at the age of 15. The fact that I was able to do this in front of my parents and family at Feyenoord makes me very proud. My goal is to eventually reach the Feyenoord first team. But until then I have to develop myself as well as possible within Feyenoord Academy.”
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Feyenoord Academy director Rini Coolen was full of praises for Mparaganda during the signing ceremony.
“Matthew is an excellent example of a player who, because of his good mentality, does everything every day to become a better footballer,” Coolen said.
“As a modern left-wing defender, Matthew puts a lot of energy into training and matches and also has the necessary physical conditions. He can also easily handle different game systems. Signing his first contract is a wonderful reward for him.”
Mparaganda started his football career at amateur club VVIJ from IJsselstein before moving to the youth academy of Dutch top tier side FC Utrecht
After transferring to the Feyenoord Academy in the summer of 2018, Mparaganda has blossomed with the Feyenoord Under-16, which is trained by Brian Pinas and Robin van Persie.
Mparanganda’s progress has also not gone unnoticed by the Royal Dutch Football Association officials, with the teenager earning his first national team call-up to the Netherlands Under-15 last month during an exhibition match against Belgium which his team won 3-0.
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