The Halifax Wanderers Football Club has reached an agreement for the transfer of international forward Lifumpa ‘Fumpa’ Mwandwe from Newtown AFC in the Welsh Premier League.  Mwandwe will be signing with the Wanderers for 2022 and 2023 with a club option for 2024.

A 21-year-old winger from London, England, Mwandwe tallied seven goals and six assists for Newtown in the 2021/22 season. He recorded the most dribbles and was the most fouled player in the Welsh Premier League.

“We’re delighted to secure the services of Fumpa, who fits the profile we prioritized on the left side of our attack going into this international transfer window,” Wanderers sporting director Matt Fegan said.

“He is an exciting young winger who is blessed with pace and creativity, excellent in tight spaces and shows a consistent ability to beat his opponent. These are all attributes we believe will excite our fans and make him an excellent addition to the squad. At just 21, he has his best years ahead of him, and his versatility means he can also play through the middle up front.”

“I’m very excited to join the club,” Mwandwe said. “I saw a video with what the club’s all about, and I was immediately drawn to what I saw. The thing that excites me most about this new challenge is being able to showcase my ability in a different country and especially in front of the Wanderers fans.”

A product of English League One side Shrewsbury Town, Mwandwe signed his first professional contract with the club as a 17-year-old. After a successful loan spell at Newtown AFC in 2019, he joined the club permanently in 2021, guiding the Welsh side to a European Conference League qualification spot.

During his time at Newtown, Mwandwe scored 15 goals and added 13 assists.

“The fans should expect me to be a lively and electric player, never really a dull moment when I get the ball, and I like to contribute with goals and assists.”

As part of the transfer agreement, Mwandwe will play his final match for Newtown on Thursday in a UEFA Europa Conference League match against HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands). Following the match, Mwandwe will travel to Halifax and join his new teammates.

“We’d like to place on record our appreciation for the professionalism of Newtown AFC in releasing Fumpa in a timely fashion once we triggered his release clause,” Fegan said. “We wish them all the best in their important Europa Conference League game tomorrow night.”

PLAYER DETAILS

Full Name: Lifumpa Yande Mwandwe
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Height: 5’10
Birth Date: Dec 29, 2000
Birthplace: London, England
Nationality: English
Last Club: Newtown AFC (Wales)
Pronunciation: fum-pa MAND-way