Young defender, Matthew Mparaganda (16) of Zimbabwean descent, has been named in the Netherlands U-17 squad for the upcoming two friendlies against the Czech Republic slated for September.
The Netherlands born player is part of the 35-man squad set to represent the Dutch in the international friendly matches. This is in preparation for the first European Championship qualifying round scheduled to be played soon.
It is not the first time Mparaganda has been named in the Netherlands youth squad. He made his international debut last year when he featured for the Dutch in the U-15s.
The 16-year-old is currently plying his trade in the Netherlands, playing for one of the country’s biggest clubs in Feyenoord.
He currently plays for the Feyenoord Under-19’s since joining the club in 2018, signing his first professional contract with the club in 2023. He put pen to paper on a three-year-deal set to expire mid 2026 the club announced on its website.
“Matthew Mparaganda signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord. “The 15-year-old defender of Feyenoord Under 16 signed a three-year contract under the watchful eye of family in De Kuip. He is therefore linked to the club until mid-2026.”
Despite representing Netherlands in the youth sides, Mparaganda is still eligible to play for the Zimbabwe senior national team in the future because both his parents are Zimbabwean.
