Bundesliga 2 side Hannover 96 have completed the signing of talented youngster Mwisho Mhango on a five-year contract from Lilongwe’s Ascent Soccer Academy.
Hannover announced it on their official website yesterday.
This comes after the Malawi Under-20 National Football Team midfielder turned 18.
“Mwisho is a potential player who is at home in attacking midfield and has very exciting talents for the position,” Hannover Managing Director Marcus Mann was quoted as saying on the club’s website.
“We became aware of him some time ago and also had him in trial training at the 96 Academy for a few weeks in the spring, after which we said that we would like to work with him. He is believed to develop well in the medium term.”
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His deal to Hannover was delayed as Fifa transfer rules, all non-EU players [non-European players] cannot agree to, or sign, any professional contract in Europe.
According to Hannover, the youngster will move straight into the boarding school of the team and will also participate in training sessions with the first team.
But he is not eligible to play for the U-23 side due to his age as a non-EU foreigner.
Following the development, Mwisho could also be loaned out.
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“We will let him arrive in Hannover in peace and then see in the winter what is best for him and his development. He could be used for the first team from January 2026,” he was quoted as saying. After his unveiling, Mhango said it was a dream come true to join the club in Europe.
“I have always dreamed of coming to Europe to play football. I have worked hard and a lot for this goal in recent years,” Mhango told the club’s website.
“But I also know that this is only the beginning and that my path in professional football is only just beginning. There was contact with several clubs, but at 96 I had by far the best feeling.”
Several local clubs including giants FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers were interested in signing him.
The youngster starred for the Malawi U-20 at the 2025 Cosafa Youth Championship held in Namibia. He won the golden boot award with five goals and was also named player of the tournament.
Mhango is the second Malawian footballer to sign for a Germany club straight from Malawi after Dan Chitsulo. Chitsulo joined FC Koln from Civil Service United in 2000.
