Forgotten Chipolopolo defender Aimé Mabika has signed with Rhode Island FC, a club competing in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship in the United States.
The 26-year-old towering centre-back had been a free agent since the start of the year following his release by Canadian MLS side Toronto FC, who opted not to renew his contract for the 2025 season. He joined Toronto in April 2023 from Inter Miami CF in a deal reportedly worth $100,000. However, he struggled for regular playing time during his two-season stay in Canada.
Mabika made 50 appearances in Major League Soccer, including 33 games for Toronto and 17 for Inter Miami.
Rhode Island FC announced his signing on April 2, 2025, pending approval from the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“Aimé will bring leadership and experience to our backline,” said Rhode Island FC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith in a statement on the club’s official website. “His game is well-balanced. He has an incredible ability to read the game along with his excellent athleticism.”
Mabika’s international career with Zambia remains unfulfilled, marked by delays in his naturalization process despite debuting in 2022. While fellow debutant Frankie Musonda quickly secured a passport, Mabika waited over a year due to bureaucratic setbacks.
Though named in the AFCON qualifiers squad, his paperwork wasn’t completed in time, and he hasn’t been recalled since receiving his passport in 2023. Now, he shifts focus to reviving his club career with Rhode Island FC in the USL.
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