Merthyr Town Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of exciting forward Japhet Matondo, who joins the club following his release from Stoke City.

The 21-year-old Wales youth international brings pace, directness and experience of elite academy football to Penydarren Park. Comfortable in all forward positions, Japhet is a natural attacker who can also operate on the right or in a wider midfield role, giving the team another attacking option as the fixtures come thick and fast. 

Japhet came through the ranks at Cardiff City, joining the Bluebirds' academy as a youngster in 2012 and spending more than a decade developing in the Welsh capital.

In the summer of 2024, he moved to Championship side Stoke City, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Wales international Rabbi Matondo, who had a loan spell with the Potters. Japhet spent two seasons with Stoke's Under-21s, gaining regular experience in Premier League 2 against some of the country's top academy sides, before leaving the club at the end of his contract in the summer of 2026.

On the international stage, Japhet has represented Wales at Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 levels, scoring for the Under-19s in a friendly against Sweden at Leckwith Stadium in June 2023.

Manager Paul Michael said: "We're really pleased to bring Japhet to the club. He's a young Welsh player who has been coached in excellent academy environments at Cardiff and Stoke, and he has the pace and ability to beat players that can really hurt the opposition. He's hungry for regular senior football, and we believe Merthyr is the right place for him to take the next step in his career".

Japhet will wear the number 29 shirt at Penydarren Park, and is available for selection ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Darlington.

Welcome Japhet!

#UTT!