Shumaira Mheuka has etched his name in Chelsea’s history books, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player to start in a major European competition at just 17 years and 137 days.
The teenage forward was included in the starting XI for Thursday’s UEFA Conference League round of 16 first-leg clash against FC Copenhagen, surpassing a 24-year-old club record in the process.
Previously, the record belonged to Joel Kitamirike, who made his UEFA Cup debut for Chelsea at 17 years and 196 days against Hapoel Tel Aviv in October 2001. Born in Kampala, Uganda, Kitamirike’s European bow turned out to be his only senior appearance for the club.
Mheuka had already featured in a European match, making his debut against FC Astana on December 12, 2024. He also earned his first Premier League minutes in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Southampton on February 25, coming on in the 90th minute for Enzo Fernandez.
Against FC Copenhagen, the promising youngster played 45 minutes before being substituted at halftime for Christopher Nkunku. The Blues went on to secure a 2-1 victory.
Rising Through the Ranks
Born in Birmingham, England, Mheuka has risen rapidly through Chelsea’s academy since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of his Under-14s season.
During the 2023-24 season, he was a key figure for the U18 team, scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. He also featured in the U18 Premier League national final at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United.
On the international stage, Mheuka represented England at the 2023 European Under-17 Championship, where he scored in the opener against Spain. Later, in October 2024, he made an impact for the England U19s, netting against both France and the Netherlands.
Despite his involvement with England’s youth setup, Mheuka remains eligible to represent Zimbabwe at the senior level.