Theo Mawene


Theodore Beaumont Mawene is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Brentford.
Mawene is a product of the Preston [North End F.C.|Preston North End] academy and made his senior debut for the club in 2024. He transferred to Brentford in 2025.

Career

Preston North End

Mawene began his youth career in the Preston North End academy at U12 level. Able to play as a central defender or wing back, he later moved into an attacking midfield role. Mawene progressed to sign a two-year scholarship deal in June 2023. His progression during the 2023–24 [Preston North End F.C. season|2023–24] season was such that he joined first team training in late March 2024. Mawene was included in three late-season matchday squads and made his senior debut as a late substitute in a 3–0 Championship defeat to Leicester City on 29 April 2024. The appearance made him the club's seventh-youngest debutant.
After involvement with the first team squad during pre-season, Mawene was included in 11 matchday squads during the 2024–25 regular season and made one appearance, as a late substitute in a 3–0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Aston Villa on 30 March 2025. After his scholarship lapsed at the end of the 2024–25 season, the club triggered its option of a further year. Mawene transferred away from Deepdale on 19 June 2025.

Brentford

On 19 June 2025, Mawene transferred to the B team at Premier League club Brentford and signed a "long-term" contract for a "significant undisclosed fee".

Style of play

Positionally, Mawene is "a ten, an attacking midfielder". In June 2023 Preston North End Head of Coaching Michael Stringfellow stated that Mawene could play at centre back, wing back and in midfield, that he was "comfortable on the ball" and that "his biggest strength is he's willing to take risks that other players are maybe not willing to take".

Personal life

Mawene is the son of the French footballer Youl Mawéné and nephew of Samy Mawéné. He is of DR Congolese descent through his paternal grandfather and French descent through his paternal grandmother. His brother Noah Mawene is also a professional footballer.