Zim star becomes most expensive player from his country
Football
Zimbabwean international Marshall Munetsi has joined English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Stade Reims.
Wolves are understood to have paid £16 million (approximately N$365,753,800) for the transfer of Munetsi. The fee makes him the most expensive Zimbabwean footballer in history.
Munetsi had a strong first half of the season for Reims in the French Ligue 1, scoring four goals and recording two assists in 19 games.
The 28-year-old, who joined Reims in 2019 from Orlando Pirates, made over 150 appearances across all competitions. He became a key player in his debut campaign and went on to earn a reputation for his versatility, work rate, and defensive solidity.
His performances in France made him a highly sought-after player, with several clubs monitoring his progress before Wolves secured his signature.
The Zimbabwean international also showed leadership qualities after becoming Reims' vice-captain at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Munetsi was the second transfer deadline signing for Wolves after the club signed Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga.
Munetsi's reaction after FA Cup debut
After making his debut for Wolves in the FA Cup, Munetsi expressed his excitement about playing for the club.
"I'm so delighted because it has been a dream come true for me – representing a big club like Wolves, and what a way to start. The guys had already done the most difficult job, to take the lead, and I was just there to do my small part."
"I'm 28 now, and there's a lot that I've learned from football, so I think it's the right time for me to showcase it. I was just delighted that they were cheering me on, even though I didn't manage to score."
"But they gave me that energy to try and keep on going, and obviously we have some quality players. They were able to put in some good balls, and we just have to keep on working and looking forward to the upcoming games."
Zimbabweans in the Premier League
Munetsi joins a small but notable list of Zimbabwean players who have played in the English Premier League:
Peter Ndlovu: The first African player to feature in the Premier League, he played for Coventry City from 1991 to 1997 before moving to Birmingham City and Sheffield United.
Benjani Mwaruwari: Enjoyed a successful spell with Portsmouth, scoring a hat-trick against Reading in 2008, before joining Manchester City and later playing for Sunderland.
Marvelous Nakamba: Signed with Aston Villa in 2019 and played a crucial role in their midfield before moving to Luton Town.
Brendan Galloway: Played for Everton, but later moved to lower divisions.
Tendayi Darikwa: Represented Burnley in the Premier League before moving to Nottingham Forest and later playing in the lower leagues.
Bruce Grobbelaar: A Zimbabwean goalkeeping Icon. One of the most iconic Zimbabwean footballers to play in England, Bruce Grobbelaar was Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper from 1981 to 1994. Although he played most of his career before the Premier League's official formation, he was part of England's top flight for over a decade.
Grobbelaar won six First Division titles (before it became the Premier League), three FA Cups, and a European Cup in 1984. His famous "wobbly legs" penalty tactic helped Liverpool secure that European Cup final victory.
He later played for Southampton in the Premier League from 1994 to 1996, further cementing his status as one of the most notable Zimbabwean players in English football history.
His future with Wolves
As Munetsi embarks on his Premier League journey with Wolves, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how his experience and skills contribute to the team. With his leadership and versatility, he has the potential to be a key player for the club in the coming seasons.
Wolves are understood to have paid £16 million (approximately N$365,753,800) for the transfer of Munetsi. The fee makes him the most expensive Zimbabwean footballer in history.
Munetsi had a strong first half of the season for Reims in the French Ligue 1, scoring four goals and recording two assists in 19 games.
The 28-year-old, who joined Reims in 2019 from Orlando Pirates, made over 150 appearances across all competitions. He became a key player in his debut campaign and went on to earn a reputation for his versatility, work rate, and defensive solidity.
His performances in France made him a highly sought-after player, with several clubs monitoring his progress before Wolves secured his signature.
The Zimbabwean international also showed leadership qualities after becoming Reims' vice-captain at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Munetsi was the second transfer deadline signing for Wolves after the club signed Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga.
Munetsi's reaction after FA Cup debut
After making his debut for Wolves in the FA Cup, Munetsi expressed his excitement about playing for the club.
"I'm so delighted because it has been a dream come true for me – representing a big club like Wolves, and what a way to start. The guys had already done the most difficult job, to take the lead, and I was just there to do my small part."
"I'm 28 now, and there's a lot that I've learned from football, so I think it's the right time for me to showcase it. I was just delighted that they were cheering me on, even though I didn't manage to score."
"But they gave me that energy to try and keep on going, and obviously we have some quality players. They were able to put in some good balls, and we just have to keep on working and looking forward to the upcoming games."
Zimbabweans in the Premier League
Munetsi joins a small but notable list of Zimbabwean players who have played in the English Premier League:
Peter Ndlovu: The first African player to feature in the Premier League, he played for Coventry City from 1991 to 1997 before moving to Birmingham City and Sheffield United.
Benjani Mwaruwari: Enjoyed a successful spell with Portsmouth, scoring a hat-trick against Reading in 2008, before joining Manchester City and later playing for Sunderland.
Marvelous Nakamba: Signed with Aston Villa in 2019 and played a crucial role in their midfield before moving to Luton Town.
Brendan Galloway: Played for Everton, but later moved to lower divisions.
Tendayi Darikwa: Represented Burnley in the Premier League before moving to Nottingham Forest and later playing in the lower leagues.
Bruce Grobbelaar: A Zimbabwean goalkeeping Icon. One of the most iconic Zimbabwean footballers to play in England, Bruce Grobbelaar was Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper from 1981 to 1994. Although he played most of his career before the Premier League's official formation, he was part of England's top flight for over a decade.
Grobbelaar won six First Division titles (before it became the Premier League), three FA Cups, and a European Cup in 1984. His famous "wobbly legs" penalty tactic helped Liverpool secure that European Cup final victory.
He later played for Southampton in the Premier League from 1994 to 1996, further cementing his status as one of the most notable Zimbabwean players in English football history.
His future with Wolves
As Munetsi embarks on his Premier League journey with Wolves, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how his experience and skills contribute to the team. With his leadership and versatility, he has the potential to be a key player for the club in the coming seasons.
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