Anthony Musaba
.
Anthony Musaba is a Dutch professional footballer born on December 6, 2000, who currently plays as a winger for Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Championship. His career has seen him play across several European leagues, showcasing his versatility and potential. Musaba began his professional journey with NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands, making his debut in April 2019. His performances caught the eye of AS Monaco, who signed him in June 2020 for a reported fee of €2 to 2.5 million. However, Musaba's time with Monaco was primarily spent on loan, gaining experience at Cercle Brugge, SC Heerenveen, FC Metz, and a return to NEC. In August 2023, he made a permanent move to Sheffield Wednesday, where he has become an integral part of the team's attacking force. In his debut season with Wednesday, Musaba contributed significantly, scoring eight goals across all competitions, including seven in the Championship.
Early life & youth football
Musaba's early life and youth career were shaped in the Netherlands, where he honed his skills in NEC Nijmegen's youth academy. Born in Beuningen, he progressed through NEC's youth ranks, showing promise from an early age. His talent was evident, leading to his rapid rise through the system. Musaba's breakthrough came in the 2018-19 season when he made his professional debut for NEC in the Eerste Divisie at just 18 years old. The following season, 2019-20, proved to be his breakout year, as he scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists in 25 Eerste Divisie appearances. This impressive performance in his first full season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic but had already attracted attention from larger clubs, setting the stage for his move to AS Monaco.
Professional career
Anthony Musaba's senior career with NEC Nijmegen began in April 2019 when he was one of four trainees to sign a new contract with the club. This marked his transition from the youth ranks to the first team squad. In the same month, Musaba made his professional debut in an Eerste Divisie match against FC Volendam, signaling the start of his senior career.The 2019-20 season proved to be Musaba's breakout year at NEC. Despite the season being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he made a significant impact in what was his first full season with the senior team. Musaba appeared in 25 Eerste Divisie matches, showcasing his attacking prowess by scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists. This impressive performance for a young player in his debut season caught the attention of larger clubs across Europe.Musaba's statistics during this period highlight his effectiveness on the field. In total, he made 28 appearances for NEC in the Eerste Divisie, scoring 7 goals. He also featured in one cup match, where he scored twice, bringing his total goal tally for NEC to 9 across all competitions. His overall record for NEC stands at 31 appearances with 9 goals, demonstrating his potential as a promising young attacker.His performances were particularly noteworthy given his age and experience level. Musaba's first start for NEC came on August 9, 2019, in a match against FC Eindhoven, where he also scored his first goal for the club. Later in the season, on October 29, 2019, he achieved another milestone by scoring twice in a match against Excelsior.Musaba's rapid development and impressive statistics at NEC did not go unnoticed. In June 2020, French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco announced his signing on a five-year contract, with the transfer fee reported to be between €2 to 2.5 million. This move marked the end of Musaba's time at NEC but highlighted the significant impact he had made in his short senior career with the Dutch club.After his departure from NEC, Musaba would later return to the club on loan in January 2023, making an additional 16 appearances and scoring once in the Eredivisie, bringing his total NEC appearances to 47 across all competitions. In June 2020, Anthony Musaba's impressive performances for NEC Nijmegen caught the attention of AS Monaco, who signed him on a five-year contract for a reported fee of €2 to 2.5 million. This move marked a significant step up in Musaba's career, joining one of France's top clubs known for developing young talent.However, Musaba's time at Monaco was characterized more by loan spells than first-team appearances for the principality club. Just two months after signing, on August 24, 2020, he was loaned to Cercle Brugge in Belgium for the 2020-21 season. This move was likely aimed at providing Musaba with regular first-team football at a competitive level.At Cercle Brugge, Musaba had a productive season, making 29 appearances in the Belgian Pro League. He scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute effectively at the top level of Belgian football. His performances showed promise, with Musaba adapting well to a new league and country. In total, he played 31 matches for Cercle Brugge across all competitions, including 2 appearances in the Belgian Cup.Following his return to Monaco, Musaba's next loan move came on August 31, 2021, when he joined SC Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie for the 2021-22 season. This move represented a return to familiar territory for Musaba, allowing him to showcase his skills in the top flight of Dutch football.At Heerenveen, Musaba made 29 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring once and providing one assist. While his goal contribution was less than at Cercle Brugge, he still gained valuable experience playing regularly in a competitive league. In total, he featured in 34 matches for Heerenveen across all competitions, including 3 appearances in the KNVB Cup and 2 in the Eredivisie European play-offs.The 2022-23 season saw Musaba embark on another loan spell, this time joining FC Metz in France's Ligue 2 on August 29, 2022. This move offered Musaba the chance to play in France, albeit in the second tier. However, his time at Metz was cut short, as he only made 7 appearances in Ligue 2, failing to score or assist. He also featured twice in the Coupe de France, scoring once. In total, Musaba played 9 matches for Metz before his loan was terminated early.On January 4, 2023, Musaba returned to his former club NEC Nijmegen on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. This move represented a homecoming for Musaba, returning to the club where he first made his professional breakthrough. At NEC, he made 16 appearances in the Eredivisie, scoring once. He also played in 2 KNVB Cup matches, scoring once. In total, Musaba featured in 18 matches for NEC during this loan spell, contributing 2 goals.Throughout these loan spells, Musaba's only appearance for Monaco came in the 2021-22 season, where he played just 2 minutes in a UEFA Champions League match. This single appearance highlights the challenges young players often face in breaking into the first team at top clubs like Monaco. In August 2023, Anthony Musaba made a permanent move to Sheffield Wednesday, joining the Championship side for an undisclosed fee from AS Monaco. This transfer marked the end of his time with the French club, where he had been since 2020 but spent most of his tenure out on loan.Musaba's move to Sheffield Wednesday represented a fresh start and an opportunity to establish himself in English football. He signed a long-term contract with the Owls, demonstrating the club's faith in his potential and their commitment to his development.The 2023/24 season proved to be a breakthrough campaign for Musaba at Sheffield Wednesday. He quickly became an integral part of the team's attacking lineup, showcasing the skills and potential that had attracted attention throughout his career.Musaba made his debut for Sheffield Wednesday on August 4, 2023, coming off the bench against Southampton. He scored his first goal for the club in an EFL Cup match against Mansfield Town on August 29, 2023, heading in from close range. His first league goal came in a match against Middlesbrough, where he calmly slotted the ball into the net after a cutback from teammate Di'Shon Bernard.Throughout the season, Musaba demonstrated his versatility and attacking prowess. He made a total of 48 appearances across all competitions, including 43 in the Championship. His contribution to the team was significant, scoring 8 goals in total, with 7 of those coming in league matches. Additionally, he provided 5 assists, showcasing his ability to both score and create opportunities for his teammates.
National team
Regarding his international career, Anthony Musaba has represented the Netherlands at the U21 level. He made his debut for the Netherlands U21 team on October 8, 2021, against Switzerland U21 and has since earned three caps without scoring a goal. His involvement with the U21 team showcases his potential and places him on the radar for future senior international opportunities.
Player’s style
Anthony Musaba's style of play is characterized by his effectiveness as a winger. Primarily operating on the flanks, he possesses the ability to contribute both goals and assists. His versatility is evident in his career statistics, having played across various leagues in Europe. At Sheffield Wednesday, Musaba has demonstrated his goal-scoring ability, netting 8 goals in his debut season, with 7 coming in the Championship. His attacking contributions are not limited to scoring; he also provided 5 assists in the same season, showcasing his ability to create chances for teammates. Musaba's adaptability is evident in his successful loan spells at different clubs, suggesting he can adjust his playing style to suit different tactical setups. His performances indicate a player with good pace, dribbling skills, and an eye for goal. As he continues to develop at Sheffield Wednesday, Musaba's style of play is likely to further evolve, potentially making him an even more influential player in the Championship.