Kundai Benyu
# Kundai Benyu

Kundai Leroy Jeremiah Benyu (born 12 December 1997) is a professional footballer who last played as a midfielder for ÍBV. Born in England, he represents Zimbabwe at international level.

## Early life

Benyu was born to Zimbabwean parents on 12 December 1997 in Camden Town, London. He grew up in Harlow, Essex.

## Club career

### Ipswich Town

Benyu joined Ipswich Town at the age of nine, signing his first professional contract after turning 17.

### Aldershot Town (loan)

On 7 December 2016, Benyu joined Aldershot Town on a one-month loan deal. The loan was subsequently extended several times, allowing Benyu to finish the 2016–17 season with the National League side.

### Celtic

On 29 June 2017, it was announced that Benyu had signed a four-year contract with Celtic. The midfielder scored on his first appearance for the club's development squad, in a pre-season friendly against East Kilbride. Benyu made his competitive debut in Celtic's 4–0 victory over Linfield at Celtic Park.

### Oldham Athletic (loan)

On 6 January 2018, Benyu joined Oldham Athletic on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season. He made his league debut for the club on 13 January 2018 in a 1–1 home draw with Rotherham United. He was subbed off in the 74th minute, and replaced by Aaron Amadi-Holloway.

### Helsingborgs (loan)

Benyu joined Swedish club Helsingborg on a season-long loan in February 2019.

### Wealdstone

Benyu signed for Wealdstone on 2 October 2020. On 19 February 2021, Benyu departed by mutual consent after making twelve league appearances for the club.

### Iceland

In February 2021, he has moved to Icelandic 1. deild side Vestri. In May 2022, he moved up a division to join Besta-deild karla side ÍBV.

## International career

Benyu's impressive performances for Aldershot Town earned him international recognition, receiving a call-up from Zimbabwe for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia.

He made his full international Zimbabwe debut in a 1–0 defeat to Lesotho in Maseru on 8 November 2017.

## Career statistics

    As of 10 January 2022

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :

| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Ipswich Town | 2014–15 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ipswich Town | 2015–16 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ipswich Town | 2016–17 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ipswich Town | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aldershot Town (loan) | 2016–17 | National League | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 25 | 5 |
| Celtic | 2017–18 | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Celtic | 2018–19 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Celtic | 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Celtic | Total | Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Oldham Athletic (loan) | 2017–18 | League One | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Helsingborg (loan) | 2019 | Allsvenskan | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Wealdstone | 2020–21 | National League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Vestri | 2021 | 1. deild karla | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 73 | 6 |

* ↑ Two appearances in the FA Trophy and one in the National League play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in the Champions League
* ↑ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
