Switzerland and DR Congo defender Kevin Mbabu has joined Sampdoria from Danish club Midtjylland on a free transfer, adding a 31-year-old right-back to the Serie B side’s squad.
Mbabu has signed a contract with Sampdoria running until 30 June 2028. The move was completed on 31 August 2026, with the player leaving Midtjylland after two seasons in Denmark.
His arrival follows a campaign in which he helped Midtjylland win the Danish Cup. Mbabu joined the club from Fulham in August 2024, also on a free transfer, having returned to the Premier League side after a loan spell with Augsburg.
The right-back made 33 Superliga appearances during his career in Denmark, scoring once and providing one assist. He also featured in European competition, with 27 Europa League appearances and 11 Champions League appearances recorded across his career.
Mbabu began his senior career at Servette before moving to Newcastle United in January 2013 for €1m. He spent time on loan at Rangers and Young Boys, before joining Young Boys permanently in 2017 for €120,000.
At Young Boys, he won the Swiss title in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. His performances in 2019 also saw him named Switzerland’s Transfermarkt Player of the Season.
A move to Wolfsburg followed in July 2019, with the German club paying €9.2m for his services. Mbabu made 91 Bundesliga appearances during his career, scoring three goals and registering five assists.
He transferred to Fulham in July 2022 for €5.5m and later spent time on loan at Servette and Augsburg. His spell at Servette came in the second half of the 2022-23 season, while the Augsburg loan took place during the 2023-24 campaign.
Mbabu, who stands 1.84m tall and is right-footed, now returns to a league in which Sampdoria will compete in Serie B. The defender’s contract confirms his stay in Genoa through the end of June 2028, completing his move from Midtjylland without a transfer fee.
