Joy-Richard Mpinga Mukena has completed a move to Yeovil Town, with the League Two club confirming the signing of the Congolese central defender from Crawley Town on a contract running until June 2027.
The transfer marks a fresh start for the 26-year-old, who arrives in Somerset aiming to relaunch his career after a challenging period at Crawley.
Limited opportunities restricted his involvement this season, with just four appearances made, and the switch offers him the chance for a reset at a club with clear ambitions.
Yeovil are pushing to establish themselves as promotion contenders and see Mpinga Mukena as a key addition to strengthen their defensive options.
The club’s coaching staff believe his experience and profile can help bring greater stability at the back as the campaign enters a decisive phase.
A product of Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, Mpinga Mukena has built his career across several levels of the English game.
He also spent time with Watford’s under-23 side, gaining valuable exposure to professional environments before moving on to senior football.
His journey has included spells that have tested both his resilience and adaptability, qualities Yeovil will be hoping to harness.
The defender’s arrival follows the departure of Michée Efete, who left the club by mutual consent after joining earlier in the season but failing to secure a regular role.
Mpinga Mukena now steps into a squad reshaped with promotion firmly in mind, and he will be eager to make a stronger impression in his new surroundings.
At 26, the centre-back is entering what many consider the prime years of a footballer’s career.
For Mpinga Mukena, the move represents an opportunity not only to regain momentum but also to assert himself as a reliable presence in a promotion-chasing side.
His relative freshness, having played sparingly this term, could prove an advantage as Yeovil look to maintain defensive solidity over the demanding final months of the season.
Adaptation will be crucial. Yeovil will expect him to settle quickly, organise effectively and contribute to keeping the team compact and disciplined.
With the stakes high and promotion the clear objective, Mpinga Mukena’s new challenge begins with both pressure and promise in equal measure.
