Jean-Pierre Longonda makes Serie B switch with Mantova loan move

Belgium and DR Congo midfielder Jean-Pierre Longonda has joined Italian club Mantova from FC Koper on loan, becoming the latest player to move into Serie B for the 2026-27 campaign.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder completed the switch on 12 August 2026 after spending the previous part of his career with Koper in Slovenia’s Prva Liga. The loan takes Longonda to Italy for the season, with the move running until 30 June 2027.

Born in Brussels, Longonda is 1.83m tall and plays predominantly in a holding midfield role. He is left-footed and brings experience from spells in Belgium, Portugal, Spain, France and Slovenia to his new club.

Longonda joined Koper in January 2025 from RFC Seraing U23. His move to the Slovenian side followed a period with Fafe, whom he joined as a free agent in September 2024. Before that, he had been without a club after leaving UD Almeria B.

His career began in France with Lille’s youth system. He moved from Lille’s under-19 side to the club’s reserve team in 2020, before departing in 2022. He subsequently spent time without a club and later joined Almeria B, marking a career that has taken him through several European football systems before his move to Mantova.

Koper’s recent campaign included appearances in domestic league football and the Uefa Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. Longonda recorded two appearances in each competition during the 2026-27 season before completing his move to Mantova.

The transfer gives Mantova a midfielder with experience in both league and European qualifying football, while Longonda now moves to an Italian second-tier side after 18 months in Slovenia. Mantova’s league status places the club in Serie B, the division immediately below Italy’s top flight.

Longonda’s Mantova contract runs until 30 June 2027, bringing his completed loan move from FC Koper to an end date at the conclusion of the campaign.