SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay F.C. announced on Friday it had signed forward Mayele Malango on a one-year contract with an option for the 2026 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

“Mayele is a dynamic player who will excite our fans with his attacking flair,” said Monterey Bay Head Coach Jordan Stewart. “He's hungry for success and ready to elevate our team. We’re really excited to bring him into the squad.”

Malango joins Monterey Bay having spent the past two seasons with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in USL League One, where he recorded nine goals and two assists in 47 appearances. During the past campaign, the 27-year-old recorded six goals while notching 22 shots on target at a 48.9 percent shooting accuracy rate.

“I feel really great and super happy to sign with Monterey Bay. I’m ready to join the team and contribute as much as I can both on the pitch and in the community. I can’t wait to get started. My friend Nevello [Yoseke] played there two seasons ago and he told me a lot about the club, the organization, the area, the community and the fans – and I loved all he had to say about it. I’m super excited to be part of something special like that. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the fans, my teammates, the staff, and creating a bond with everyone here.”

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malango and his family were forced to flee due to conflict and spent 10 years as refugees in Malawi. At the age of 17, Malango and his family made the journey stateside to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he later committed to Salem State University in 2017. At Salem State, Malango was named both the MASCAC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year enroute to leading the school to its first conference title in over a decade. From there, Malango made the jump to Division I university UMass Lowell.

After his college career, he joined the New England Revolution II, then in USL League One, for the abbreviated 2020 campaign. He recorded one goal and one assist in 14 appearances for the side, but now will get the chance to compete in the USL Championship for the first time.

“I’m very much a team player,” said Malongo. “I’m always open to listen and learn from the other guys. Any teammate can ask me anything and I will always be there for them. I like to support my teammates. Ultimately, my personal goal is to win a championship. I want to win a trophy next season; I want to be champion with Monterey Bay. I want to score a lot of goals and will work as hard as I can to help our team be successful and lift that trophy.”