Orel Mangala

Orel Johnson Mangala (born 18 March 1998) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Ligue 1 club Lyon and the Belgium national team.

Club career
On 9 June 2017, Mangala signed a four-year contract with VfB Stuttgart. On 8 August 2018, Mangala was loaned out to Hamburger SV without a purchase option until the end of the season.

On 9 April 2021, Mangala extended his contract with VfB Stuttgart until June 2024.

On 31 July 2022, it was announced that Mangala had joined Premier League side Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee. Mangala made his debut for Forest as a substitute in the team's opening game of the 2022–23 Premier League season, a 2–0 loss at Newcastle United on 6 August. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Leeds United on 4 April 2023. He scored his second goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on 5 November 2023.

On 1 February 2024, Mangala joined Ligue 1 side Lyon on an loan deal for a €11.7M fee with a permanent purchase option of €17.5M, plus an additional €3.5M in potential bonuses. The move was officially announced as permanent on 2 July 2024.

International career
Mangala was called up to the senior Belgium squad in March 2021. He made his international debut in a 2–2 friendly draw with the Republic of Ireland on 26 March 2022.

Personal life
Mangala is of Congolese descent.

Honours
Lyon
 * Coupe de France runner-up: 2023–24

Belgium U17
 * FIFA U-17 World Cup third place: 2015