
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was Manchester United’s tenacious right‑back until August 2024, when he moved to West Ham United for a reported £15 million and soon after committed his international future to DR Congo. This career pivot, confirmed by BBC Sport (tier‑1 football broadcaster), marks a deliberate return to his roots.
Full name: Aaron Wan-Bissaka · Date of birth: 26 November 1997 · Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) · Position: Right‑back · Current club: West Ham United · National team: DR Congo
Quick snapshot
- Joins West Ham from Manchester United in August 2024 on a seven‑year contract (West Ham United FC)
- Born 26 November 1997 (West Ham United FC)
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) (West Ham United FC)
- Exact length of DR Congo national‑team contract or commitment beyond 2026 World Cup
- Future transfer interest from European clubs post‑World Cup
- Details of his role under West Ham’s next manager if the club changes coaching staff
- August 2024: West Ham transfer completed (BBC Sport)
- September 2025: Senior DR Congo debut vs South Sudan (West Ham United FC)
- June 2026: World Cup debut vs Portugal (West Ham United FC)
- World Cup finals with DR Congo in 2026 (BBC Sport)
Six key figures, one pattern: each reinforces the same story—a defender whose career is now defined by deliberate timing and national‑team commitment.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Aaron Wan-Bissaka |
| Date of birth | 26 November 1997 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Position | Defender |
| Current club | West Ham United |
| National team | DR Congo |
What is Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s current club?
West Ham United move
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka currently plays for West Ham United in the EFL Championship after moving from Manchester United in August 2024 (BBC Sport).
- The transfer fee was a reported £15 million on a seven‑year deal that takes him into his thirties (The Athletic (leading football analysis)).
Contract details
- His contract is seven years, a commitment that signals West Ham’s long‑term plan to build around him (The Athletic).
- The club’s official player page lists him as squad number 29 (West Ham United FC).
The implication: West Ham paid a premium for a player entering his prime, betting that his one‑on‑one defending will be decisive in tight Championship matches.
What position does Wan-Bissaka play?
Right-back role
- He is a defender, primarily a right‑back, with his preferred foot being right (West Ham United FC).
- His game centres on tackling, recovery runs, and shutting down wingers—qualities that made him a standout at Manchester United.
Defensive statistics
- While precise season‑by‑season stats vary, his reputation rests on elite tackle success rates. The Athletic described the West Ham move as “a chance to establish himself as a leading Premier League full‑back” (The Athletic).
Why this matters: In an era of overlapping attackers, his old‑school defending is a calculated trade‑off—teams sacrifice attacking width for near‑certainty that the left side won’t break.
What is Wan-Bissaka’s height?
Physical attributes
- His height is 6 ft 0 in (183 cm), as recorded on the official West Ham squad page (West Ham United FC).
- That stature is average for a Premier‑level full‑back, but his wingspan and low centre of gravity aid his close‑control tackling style.
Comparison with other defenders
Athletic defenders of similar height (6’0″–6’1″) often rely on pace and agility. Wan‑Bissaka’s physical profile fits the mould of a modern full‑back who covers ground quickly rather than winning aerial duels.
At 6 ft 0 in, he’s not an aerial threat in the opponent’s box—his offensive contributions are almost exclusively ground‑based. That limits his versatility in set‑piece situations.
The trade‑off: West Ham’s game plan will rely on set‑pieces from other players while Wan‑Bissaka anchors the defensive line.
Is Wan-Bissaka from Congo?
Family background
- He was born in London, England, and qualifies for DR Congo through his family background (West Ham United FC).
- He previously played for DR Congo at U20 level as a forward in a 2015 friendly against England (West Ham United FC).
International representation
- He switched his international allegiance to DR Congo in August 2025 (BBC Sport).
- He made his senior debut in a 4‑1 World Cup qualifying win over South Sudan on 5 September 2025 (West Ham United FC).
- By May 2026 he had won nine caps (BBC Sport).
“Wan‑Bissaka is eligible for DR Congo through his family background.”
— West Ham United FC (official club website)
The pattern: For a player born in London but eligible via heritage, choosing DR Congo at age 27 was a signal of belonging—and the quick caps suggest he’s now a core squad member.
What happened with Wan-Bissaka at Manchester United?
Transfer to West Ham
- He left Manchester United in August 2024 after five seasons at Old Trafford (BBC Sport).
- His departure ended a tenure that included over 150 appearances but also increasing competition for the starting spot.
Career statistics at United
At Manchester United he registered several Premier League starts but faced criticism for limited attacking output. The move to West Ham gave him a fresh start as a central defensive figure rather than a squad option.
“The move to West Ham is a chance for Wan‑Bissaka to establish himself as a leading Premier League full‑back.”
What this means: His United chapter is a lesson in stylistic fit—he’s a specialist, and West Ham’s setup finally gives that specialism a clear home.
Timeline of key events
- 26 November 1997 – Born in London, England (West Ham United FC).
- 2016–2019 – Played for Crystal Palace youth and first team (BBC Sport).
- 2019–2023 – Played for Manchester United (BBC Sport).
- August 2024 – Transferred to West Ham United on a seven‑year deal (BBC Sport).
- August 2025 – Switched international allegiance to DR Congo (BBC Sport).
- 5 September 2025 – Senior debut vs South Sudan (West Ham United FC).
- 2025 AFCON – Started three matches at Africa Cup of Nations (West Ham United FC).
- 31 March 2026 – Helped DR Congo qualify for World Cup via inter‑confederation play‑off (West Ham United FC).
- June 2026 – Named in DR Congo’s World Cup squad (BBC Sport).
- 17 June 2026 – World Cup debut in 1‑1 draw with Portugal (West Ham United FC).
Confirmed facts
- Plays for West Ham United (BBC Sport)
- Height 6 ft 0 in (West Ham United FC)
- Represents DR Congo (BBC Sport)
- Born 26 November 1997 (West Ham United FC)
What’s unclear
- Exact transfer fee details beyond reported £15 million
- Long‑term future at West Ham after World Cup
- Potential interest from other European clubs
- Role under potential new manager
For DR Congo’s World Cup ambitions, Wan‑Bissaka’s defensive solidity could be the difference between a group‑stage exit and a historic knockout run. His club career at West Ham is equally consequential: the defender represents a major financial investment and a tactical cornerstone. The choice for West Ham’s coaching staff is clear—build the defensive structure around his one‑on‑one strengths, or risk losing the edge that made the £15 million signing worth it.
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For a more detailed biography and career overview, fans can explore his journey from Crystal Palace to West Ham.
Frequently asked questions
How many Premier League appearances has Wan‑Bissaka made?
Exact career totals vary by season, but he made over 150 appearances for Manchester United across all competitions, most of them in the Premier League (BBC Sport).
What is Wan‑Bissaka’s nationality?
He holds British citizenship by birth in London and represents the DR Congo national team through family heritage (West Ham United FC).
Why did Wan‑Bissaka leave Manchester United?
The move to West Ham was driven by a need for regular first‑team football and a tactical system that suits his defensive style. The transfer was completed in August 2024 (The Athletic).
What is Wan‑Bissaka’s wife’s name?
No official public record of his marital status is available from verified sources. This detail remains private.
Does Wan‑Bissaka play for Liverpool?
No. He has never played for Liverpool. He played for Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and currently West Ham United.
What position did Wan‑Bissaka play at Crystal Palace?
He primarily played right‑back, and occasionally as a right‑midfielder, during his youth and first‑team spells at Crystal Palace.



