Among the new faces during the five-day training session in the Dutch Tegelen, is also the 18-year-old Amaury Mabika’s. Mabika - probably a new name to many of the Anderlecht fans - is a first-string player in the Purple & White U-21 team, where he is also captain from time to time. It’s time, then, to meet the likable U-21 player, who lives in Wezembeek-Oppem.

Amaury Mabika is a genuine RSC Anderlecht youth player. When he was only seven years old, he already joined Sporting. "Before that, I played for consecutively Stockel and Diegem", he explained. "When I was seven, I started playing for RSCA. I can play as a defensive midfielder or a centre back, but if it’s my choice, I prefer the defensive midfielder position, which suits me somewhat better."

Last season, Mabika was a first-string player in Johan Walem’s U-21 team. And he won the title together with his teammates. "I am very proud of that title. Moreover, it was some time ago that the U-21 had become champions. When the first team took the title, we just had to follow them", he smiled. "I have learned a lot from coach Johan Walem", Mabika said. "Next to Geert Emmerechts (coach of the U-21 next season, rsca.be), who coached me when I played with the U-16, he is the coach who has taught me most up until now."

Mabika was not able to enjoy a very long holiday, he is still attending school and, after having taken his exams, he immediately had to leave for the training session in the Netherlands. "They told me I was part of the selection three days before leaving and I had not at all expected it. I was really surprised and happy when I heard that I could take part in the training session", the player, who looks up to Francesc Fàbregas, said. "Last season, I had already trained with part of the squad, but it’s the first time I can train along with the entire first team."

His integration within the A-team is going well. "The contacts with the other players are good, everybody is really friendly and I was immediately well-received by the group. The training session is of course heavy. The biggest difference with the U-21 training sessions is that everything is quicker and more precise here. I am trying to learn as much as I can here", Mabika said. "This season, I want to play as many matches with the U-21 as possible and, hopefully, that’s enough to make it to the first team..."