Porto Set To Release Former Newcastle Defender Chancel Mbemba As Player 'Could Actually Be 33 And Not 27'

Porto are set to release former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba due to doubts about his age.

The DR Congo international is out of contract at the end of the season and according to Corriere de Manha, the Portuguese club do not want to renew his deal.

And it's said the reason is the club are unsure about how old Mbemba actually is. On paper the centre-back is listed as being 27 but he could actually be as many as five years older.

Image: PA

In 2013, a report from CNN found that Mbemba had no less than FOUR different birthdays recorded - with dates ranging from 1988 to 1994.

For his first two clubs in his native Congo, Mbemba was down as being born in 1988.

Yet the year of birth had changed to November 30, 1991 when he played in an Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier in 2011.

Anderlecht's records have him down as being born on August 8 1994, meaning he was about to turn 21 when he signed for Newcastle in a £7.5 million move in 2015.

To make the situation even more confusing Mbemba has gone on record to say he was born in 1990.

Image: PA

But he also claims to have undergone bone tests to prove he was actually born in 1994, prior to moving to England.

“I got bone tests done and, as me and my friends all know, the results prove what my age is. I just go out and play football, no misinformation," Mbemba is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

“A lot has been said about my birthdate and the different ages. I proved exactly what the truth is.

People in Africa know, me and my family, friends and anyone who knows Chancel Mbemba knows I was born on August 8th, 1994. That is all that matters.

“Sometimes in Africa when people see someone doing well they try to bring them down or harm they career. I am not that kind of person, I have my friends and family and I don’t have any harmful thoughts in my heart or in my head.

“All that should matter to people is what I do on the pitch.”

FIFA launched an investigation into the matter nine years ago and a member of Congolese Football Federation admitted Mbemba's birthyear was changed to 1991 so he was an Under 23 player and therefore eligible for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Mbemba played 59 times for Newcastle and ended up leaving for Porto, where he's played over 100 times.

AC Milan had reportedly been interested in signing Mbemba but the age controversy could put the Rossoneri off.

Topics: FC Porto, Newcastle United

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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