Stuttgart reveal Silas Wamangituka has been playing under a false identity

The Congolese striker has confirmed he has been playing under a false name and age and his real identity is Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

Silas Wamangituka in a file photo; Credit: Twitter
By Karthik Raman | Jun 8, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart have revealed that their top scorer in 2020-21, Silas Wamangituka has been playing under a false name and age. The Congolese forward was forced to alter details by an agent in Belgium as a teenager ahead of a trial with Anderlecht. From the Democratic Republic of Congo, he moved to French minnows Ales before joining Paris FC in the French Ligue 2. Then German side Stuttgart signed Silas on a five-year deal in 2019. Silas, who was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Season, has appeared in 58 matches for Stuttgart in all competitions during the last two seasons, scoring 21 goals.

With the support of VfB and its new advisor, Silas has worked intensively on clarifying the situation over the past few days and weeks and finally received official documents from the Democratic Republic of the Congo a few days ago, according to the club’s website.

“I have lived in constant fear in recent years and I was also very worried about my family in the Congo. It was a difficult step for me to reveal my story” he was quoted by Stuttgart’s website. “I only dared to do this with the support of my new consultants. I realised that I no longer have to be afraid and that we can put everything on the table together.

“I wouldn’t have dared to take this step if Stuttgart, my team and VfB hadn’t become a second home for me where I feel safe. Today I am very relieved, and I hope that I can also encourage other players who have had similar experiences with agents. I am deeply grateful to VfB Stuttgart for all the trust and support they have shown during this time.”

The club’s website has stated that the player’s real name is Silas Katompa Mvumpa and he was born on October 6, 1998 in Kinshasa (Congo), so he is 22 years old today.

Stuttgart’s head of sport Thomas Hitzlsperger said that they want to proceed as “transparently” as possible in this matter. “Immediately after Silas had confided in us, we initiated all the measures we felt were necessary and called in the responsible offices,” he was quoted by the club’s website.

“We are deliberately making this unusual case public on our own initiative to underline that we want to proceed as transparently as possible with regard to the protection of our player. I would like to thank all of the employees involved, the authorities, the DFL and the DFB, who have taken on the subject in an absolutely conscientious, professional and discreet manner.”





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