When Jaze Kabia arrived at Grimsby Town ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, there was excitement around what the forward could bring to David Artell’s side. What followed exceeded even the highest expectations.

In his first season at the club, and his first-ever campaign in the English Football League, Kabia announced himself as one of Sky Bet League Two’s most dangerous attacking players, finishing the season with 24 goals in all competitions and collecting the Mariners’ Golden Boot award after a truly outstanding debut year in black and white.

Across 57 appearances, Kabia combined explosive pace, intelligent movement and clinical finishing to become a central figure in Town’s push for promotion and memorable cup runs. His 24 goals and three assists came in over 3,500 minutes of action, with the Irishman consistently delivering in the biggest moments.

A Dream Start

Jaze wasted little time introducing himself to the Town faithful. On the opening day of the league season against Crawley Town at Blundell Park, he confidently converted from the penalty spot to score on his league debut as the Mariners opened the campaign with an emphatic victory.

From there, the goals continued to arrive. A dramatic stoppage-time equaliser at Harrogate Town highlighted his composure under pressure, while strikes against Accrington Stanley and Shrewsbury Town quickly underlined his ability to impact games across all competitions.

But it was perhaps his performance in the Carabao Cup victory at Hillsborough that truly announced him on a national stage. Kabia’s second-half header secured a famous victory over Sheffield Wednesday, having already beaten Manchester United in the round prior where he scored twice during the dramatic shootout, and sent the Mariners into the last 16 of the competition for the first time since 2001, sparking unforgettable scenes among more than 5,000 travelling supporters.

Delivering In Big Moments

Throughout the season, Jaze developed a reputation for producing when Town needed him most. Whether it was his dramatic 96th-minute winner against Fleetwood Town on St Patrick’s Day, the late New Year’s Day header which secured the club’s first-ever away victory at Fleetwood, or his vital equaliser in the play-off semi-final against Salford City, Kabia repeatedly stepped up in decisive moments.

And then there was Swindon Town. With a sold-out Blundell Park and a top-seven finish on the line, Kabia produced one of the performances of the season, scoring a sensational hat-trick in a 4-0 victory that guaranteed Town’s place in the play-offs.

The variety within his game became one of the defining features of his campaign. Penalties, headers, close-range finishes, long-range strikes, instinctive poacher’s goals and moments of individual brilliance – Jaze scored them all.

His numbers reflected that quality. Across the league campaign alone, he registered 18 goals, while recording 76 shots, 39 efforts on target and 176 touches inside the opposition penalty area.

More impressively, many of those contributions arrived in high-pressure moments against promotion rivals and during crucial stages of the season.

More Than Just Goals

While the goals naturally grabbed the headlines, Kabia’s impact stretched far beyond the scoresheet. His relentless pressing, work rate and willingness to battle defenders embodied the aggressive, front-foot style that became synonymous with David Artell’s side this season.

Kabia won 62 fouls, recovered possession 96 times and consistently contributed out of possession, reflecting the all-action role he played within the Mariners’ system. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he gave defenders constant problems with his movement and unpredictability.

Supporters quickly embraced his energy and commitment, while teammates regularly benefitted from the space and opportunities his runs created.

A Season To Remember

For many players, adapting to a new club and a new division takes time. Jaze Kabia made it look effortless.

From opening-day goals to play-off drama, from cup heroics to crucial late winners, his first season in the EFL could hardly have been more memorable. Twenty-four goals. Countless big moments. A Golden Boot award. Not bad for a debut season.

And with Jaze only just beginning his journey in the Football League, there is every reason to believe there is even more to come from one of the Mariners’ standout performers of the 2025/26 campaign.

UTM