We are pleased to confirm that midfielder Amadou Mbengue has put pen to paper on a short-term contract at the club which will see him represent the Royals until January 2023.
20-year-old Mbengue has been training with Paul Ince’s first team squad for a number of weeks after he left French club Metz at the end of his contract earlier this summer.
Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen, said: “Amadou has been very patient and professional during the weeks he has spent around the first team group out on the training pitches and he has earned this short-term deal with the club. Crucially, he will add more strength to a squad aiming to consistently compete in what is a demanding Championship campaign.”
Having joined from the youth ranks of FC Melun in 2021, the Senegalese defensive midfielder made a total of 12 appearances in Ligue 1 last season – the last of which saw him feature against PSG and the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
However, Metz were relegated to Ligue 2 alongside Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne and Mbengue is now ready for a new challenge as a Royal.
The move remains subject to the normal ratification procedures from the relevant football authorities, including the receipt of a work visa and permit and the relevant international clearance.
Manager Paul Ince added, “Amadou has been a real asset out on the training pitches in recent weeks and he has proven to me, my coaching staff and his teammates that he can play a part in what we are trying to achieve in difficult circumstances this season. I’m pleased I will be be working with him for the next few months and I look forward to seeing more of what he is capable of.”
Meanwhile, we can also confirm that Abraham Kanu, the young defender named our Academy Player of the Season for 2021-22, has signed professional terms with the Royals.
Having turned 17, Kanu was a regular for our Under-18s last season and also played well above his age category to feature for our Under-23s last season – and he has now committed his future to the club.
