Willy Kambwala received instant reactions from Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo after the former Manchester United defender sent a heartfelt message after his exit from Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old former Manchester United player arrived at Old Trafford in 2020 and was added to the club’s youth academy after he signed from French side Sochaux.
Willy Kambwala, who was linked with Liverpool when United signed him, broke into the Red Devils first team last season under manager Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag turned to Kambwala and handed him his first Premier League start in the 2-0 defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium in December 2023.
The United manager started the Kambwala alongside veteran defender Jonny Evans for the West Ham match after injuries impacted his senior centre-back options.
Kambwala made 10 appearances across all competitions for United in the 2023-24 season, with the centre-back starting three of his eight Premier League matches.
The former United defender also made two brief cameo appearances against Wigan Athletic and Newport County in the club’s FA Cup-winning season.
Kambwala sends Man Utd fans a message
Manchester United’s official website on Monday confirmed that Willy Kambwala had completed a permanent move to Spanish side Villarreal.
According to BBC Sport, United had reportedly agreed to an initial transfer fee of £4.63m, which could rise to £9.68m if certain add-ons are met.
The Red Devils are believed to have included a buy-back option for Kambwala and could have a ‘sizeable share’ coming from their sell-on clause included in the deal.
Kambwala on Monday took to Instagram and sent a poignant message after his United exit was confirmed, with the defender saying he had “fulfilled his dream.”
“Dear [Manchester United], I arrived at the club as a boy with a dream and today I’m leaving like a young man who has fulfilled his dream,” he wrote.
“From the academy to the first team, it’s time for me to start a new adventure after [four] wonderful seasons at the club.
“Thank you to all the people I have met during these [four] years. Coaches, my teammates, staff members, workers in Carrington and members of my host family. I’ll never forget what you all did for me.
“A special thank you to you fans who have always supported me, you are the soul of this club. I wish you the best for this season and for the future.”
Mainoo and Diallo react to Kambwala’s exit
Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo were among the first United players to react to Kambwala leaving Old Trafford and making the move to La Liga club Villarreal.
Diallo was spotted in the comments and wished his former United teammate the best of luck with his career away from the Red Devils.
“Good luck my boy go fimbu [sic],” he wrote in the comments of Kambwala’s post.
Mainoo, who played in England’s Euro 2024 defeat to Spain on Sunday, echoed Diallo’s sentiments to Kambwala in a separate comment on Instagram.
“Big love bro all the best,” he posted.
