Thomas Ulimwengu Rejoins TP Mazembe On A Free Transfer

Tanzania international striker Thomas Ulimwengu has rejoined DR Congo giants TP Mazembe on a free transfer.

The former Al Hilal of Sudan striker is believed to have agreed to a two-year deal worth $ 4,000 a week.

Ulimwengu rejoins the side where he featured from 2011 to 2016 after ending his stay with Algerian side Jeunesse Sportive de la Saoura.

A statement on the club website read; “TP Mazembe is delighted to announce the signing of Thomas Ulimwengu.

“He is a player of real quality, with a fantastic work rate and great mentality. He is a very good addition to our squad.”

Ulimwengu moved to Mazembe in August 2011 after a brief spell with Swedish development outfit Athletic Football Club.

He made a name for himself at the Congolese club where he played for five seasons alongside another Tanzanian Mbwana Samatta but he quit in 2016, joining Swedish second-tier side Athletic Eskilstuna.

Ulimwengu was following in the footsteps of countrymate and personal friend Mbwana Samatta who also quit TP Mazembe to join KRC Genk in Belgium.

However, things did not work for Ulimwengu at Eskilstuna and he left the club to join Sloboda Tuzla, the first-tier club in Bosnia and Herzegovina in March this year.

The 27-year-old spent only two months there and was soon back in Africa, joining Sudan giants Al Hilal Omdurman in May.

After just half a season in Sudan, the journeyman joined Algeria outfit Jeunesse Sportive de la Saoura.

Ulimwengu made his Tanzania debut as a substitute in the opening match of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup against Zambia.

He made his first start for the national team in the following match against Burundi, but sustained an injury in that match and had to sit out the rest of the tournament. Tanzania went on to win the competition and were 2011 CECAFA Champions.

Since 2011, Ulimwengu has been a key member of the Tanzanian national team, playing in all important matches and tournaments. He played a crucial role in Taifa Stars return to last year’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1980.