Wigan Athletic's loanee Hindolo Mustapha has returned to Crystal Palace after his loan spell was terminated after just five weeks. The 20-year-old Sierra Leone international had joined Wigan in July but failed to make a competitive appearance.
What happened?
Hindolo Mustapha's loan spell at Wigan Athletic was terminated after just five weeks. The Crystal Palace youngster had joined Wigan in July but failed to make a competitive appearance.
Why it matters for Wigan Athletic
The termination of Mustapha's loan spell is a setback for Wigan Athletic, who were hoping to give the young player some first-team experience. The Latics are currently 16th in League One, 47 points behind leaders Lincoln, and have scored 49 goals and conceded 58 this season.
What comes next?
Mustapha has now joined Notts County, who are preparing for life in League One after winning promotion last season. The 20-year-old will hope that Meadow Lane finally provides the sustained senior opportunity that has so far proved elusive. At 20, there is still plenty of time for Mustapha to turn his academy promise into a senior career.
Wigan Athletic are currently 16th in League One, 47 points behind leaders Lincoln, and have scored 49 goals and conceded 58 this season. The Latics are preparing for a tough season ahead, and the loss of Mustapha's loanee will be a blow to their hopes of improving their league position. Gary Caldwell's side will need to regroup and refocus if they are to make a push for the playoffs this season.
Mustapha had arrived at Wigan with a strong reputation from Palace's academy, but has struggled to make an impact in senior football. His loan spell at Wigan was cut short after just five weeks, and he has now joined Notts County in search of a fresh start. The 20-year-old will hope that Meadow Lane finally provides the sustained senior opportunity that has so far proved elusive.
Wigan Athletic are currently preparing for a tough season ahead, and the loss of Mustapha's loanee will be a blow to their hopes of improving their league position. Gary Caldwell's side will need to regroup and refocus if they are to make a push for the playoffs this season. The Latics are currently 16th in League One, 47 points behind leaders Lincoln, and have scored 49 goals and conceded 58 this season.
Mustapha had enjoyed an excellent 2024/25 campaign at Under-21 level, scoring regularly and earning the club's Under-21 Player of the Year award. However, translating that promise into regular senior minutes has proved much more difficult. A season-long loan with German second-tier club FC Nürnberg in 2025 was cut short after he failed to make a first-team appearance. Nürnberg boss Miroslav Klose later spoke publicly about the importance of players showing the required attitude and application, although he did not single Mustapha out by name in those comments.
A further opportunity followed with West Bromwich Albion during the second half of last season. Mustapha made only two senior appearances there, including one FA Cup outing and a brief Championship substitute appearance, before returning to Palace at the end of the campaign. Wigan represented a fresh start this summer under Gary Caldwell, who is currently in charge of the Latics. Instead, that move has become the latest short-lived loan in Mustapha's career.
The switch to Notts County now offers him another route into regular first-team football. Martin Paterson's side are preparing for life in League One after winning promotion last season, and Mustapha will hope Meadow Lane finally provides the sustained senior opportunity that has so far proved elusive. At 20, there is still plenty of time for the Sierra Leone international to turn his academy promise into a senior career.
