Benjani Jnr goes professional at 17

Benjani Jr (17), son to former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker Benjani Mwauwari, has signed his debut professional contract with English National League side Yeovil Town.

Yeovil gaffer Chris Hargreaves said of the latest move: “Firstly I’d like to congratulate Benjani and his family on him signing his first professional contract.

“Following his excellent form for the Under-18’s, he has had a number of opportunities to train with the first team and has impressed all of our coaching staff. The signing is a testament to the excellent work going on within our EPDP scheme and the hard work by all associated with the programme.

“He will continue to play for Matt Percival’s Under-18’s side and train with the first team on a regular basis.”

The club plays in the fifth-tier and the younger Mwaruwari was initially enrolled into the academy side of the establishment before being promoted to the more senior structures where he has now been given the privilege to sign a contract.

Last season, he scored 25 goals and managed 16 assists in 30 games for the club’s Under-18’s.

He has also had a stint with the first team, making his Somerset Premier Cup debut from the substitutes bench.

Benjani Jnr’s wish to play for his father’s former side, Portsmouth, were dented after the team’s academy did not offer him a renewed scholarship deal and he then moved to Yeovil in 2020.

At his prime and before he resigned from football, the father was signed by Harry Redknapp from Auxure in January 2006 for a then-club record fee of £4.1m. Hopes were that the son would follow in father’s footsteps, but fate could not have it their way.