Kabongo Tshimanga

Kabongo Tshimanga (born 22 July 1997) After scoring 27 youth team goals, Tshimanga was rewarded with a squad number early in the 2014–15 season despite only recently turning 18. He made his first team debut on 8 November, coming on as a late substitute for Benik Afobe in a 4–3 FA Cup first round victory over Port Vale at Vale Park. Tshimanga signed his first professional contract with the club on 3 January 2015.

Tshimanga spent the entire 2015–16 season on loan to several non-League clubs, including brief spells with Corby Town, Nuneaton Town and Chesham United. On 18 August 2015 he scored an eight-minute hat-trick for Corby Town against Hednesford Town. Following the conclusion of the season, Tshimanga briefly joined Icelandic Úrvalsdeild side Throttur Reykjavik on a short-term loan deal until July 2016.

Tshimanga found more first team opportunities with the Dons during the first half of the 2016–17 season following the club's relegation, and made his first team debut as an 87th-minute substitute on 20 August 2016 away to Rochdale. However, after spending the second half of the season on loan to Yeovil Town, Tshimanga was released from the club in June 2017.

Boston United Following his release, Tshimanga joined National League North side Boston United on 1 July 2017, signing a one-year deal before going on to make 34 league appearances and scoring 8 goals.

Oxford City Following the expiry of his contract, Tshimanga opted to join National League South side Oxford City in June 2018. On 10 November 2018, Tshimanga scored a hat-trick in an FA Cup first round 3–3 draw away to Tranmere Rovers. Tshimanga ended his first season as top scorer with 29 goals in all competitions, and was also the recipient of the club's Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year awards. He was later named in the 2018–19 National League South Team of the Year.

Boreham Wood On 1 July 2019, Tshimanga signed for National League club Boreham Wood on a two-year deal. In his first season he helped the club to a play-off finish, scoring 19 goals in 37 appearances in the process.

Chesterfield On 10 August 2021, despite rumoured interest from Football League sides, Tshimanga joined National League side Chesterfield for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. After scoring nine goals in his first six weeks of the season, he was awarded the league's Player of the Month award for August/September 2021. Tshimanga finished the campaign with 25 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions, and was named in the league's Team of the Year for the third consecutive season. Tshimanga joined Fleetwood Town on loan in the summer of 2023 but was recalled by Peterborough on 1 February 2024, on which day he returned to Boreham Wood on loan until the end of the season.

On 12 May 2024, Peterborough announced the player had been transfer-listed.

Swindon Town loan On 27 August 2024, Tshimanga joined League Two side Swindon Town on loan for the season. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 win against Newport on 14 September 2024.

On 6 May 2024, Peterborough announced the player would leave the club in June when his contract expired.

Crawley Town On 1 July 2025, Tshimaga joined League Two side Crawley Town on a two-year contract.

Barnet On 22 January 2026, Tshimanga signed for fellow League Two club Barnet for an undisclosed fee, scoring two goals on his debut at home to Oldham Athletic F.C.

Personal life Tshimanga's parents live in the UK. He has two brothers, Claude and Roman, and two sisters, Jily and Rosalie, who also live in the UK.

International career Tshimanga is eligible to play for both England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In April 2019, he was called up to the England C squad for a friendly fixture, on 9 April 2019, against a Bedfordshire FA XI to mark the association's 125th anniversary.

Style of play Speaking in November 2014, then Milton Keynes Dons manager Karl Robinson described Tshimanga as "quick, powerful, he wants to run at people and he's a constant threat."

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2014–15 League One

2015–16 Championship

2016–17 League One

Aldershot Town (loan) 2014–15 National League North

Nuneaton Town (loan) 2015–16 League One

2023–24 League One

2024–25 League One

2!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0 Fleetwood Town (loan) 2023–24 League Two

2025–26 2020–21, 2021–22 National League Player of the Month: August/September 2021 Chesterfield Player of the Year: 2021–22