Neeskens Kebano Explained

Neeskens Kebano
Full Name:Neeskens Kebano[1]
Birth Date:10 March 1992
Birth Place:Montereau, France
Height:1.72 m[2]
Position:Attacking midfielder, left winger
Currentclub:Al Jazira
Clubnumber:92
Youthyears1:1996–2006
Youthclubs1:ASA Montereau
Youthyears2:2006–2011
Youthclubs2:Paris Saint-Germain
Years1:2011–2013
Clubs1:Paris Saint-Germain
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2013
Clubs2:Caen (loan)
Caps2:12
Goals2:1
Years3:2013–2015
Clubs3:Charleroi
Caps3:64
Goals3:18
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:Genk
Caps4:37
Goals4:6
Years5:2016–2023
Clubs5:Fulham
Caps5:139
Goals5:21
Years6:2021
Clubs6:Middlesbrough (loan)
Caps6:18
Goals6:1
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Al Jazira
Caps7:7
Goals7:1
Nationalyears1:2008–2009
Nationalteam1:France U17
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2009–2010
Nationalteam2:France U18
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2010–2011
Nationalteam3:France U19
Nationalcaps3:10
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2011–2012
Nationalteam4:France U20
Nationalcaps4:6
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2014–
Nationalteam5:DR Congo
Nationalcaps5:35
Nationalgoals5:6
Club-Update:08:08, 9 November 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23 September 2022

Neeskens Kebano (born 10 March 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for the UAE Pro League team Al-Jazira and DR Congo national team.

Born in France, Kebano is a former French youth international having earned caps at under-17, under-18 level, and under-19 level.

Club career

Early career

Kebano was born in the commune of Montereau-Fault-Yonne, Île-de-France. He was given his first name as an homage to the former Dutch international midfielder Johan Neeskens whom his father, Nestor Kebano, admired.[3] [4] [5] Kebano was immersed into football at an early age and began his career playing for hometown club ASA Montereau.[3] While at Montereau, he also competed in judo before opting to focus on football.[4] In 2004, Kebano was among a host of players attempting to earn selection to the Clairefontaine academy.[6] While at the academy's detection camp, he drew interest from Paris Saint-Germain scout Pierre Reynaud. The club contacted the player and offered him a trial at the club, which he accepted. After spending the 2005 season playing at Montereau, Kebano was contacted again by Paris Saint-Germain who brought him in for a second trial in December 2005. In the following January, the club signed him on an aspirant (youth) contract and he joined the club in July 2006.[6]

Paris Saint-Germain

Kebano began his Paris Saint-Germain career at the club's youth academy in the Camp des Loges. He was placed on the club's under-14 team and formed friendships with youth and international teammates Jimmy Kamghain, Alassane Tambe, and Bastien Héry.[4] The combination of the four were particularly instrumental in their youth team's success. With the under-14 team, Kebano won the Championnat Fédéraux de 14 ans.[6] In the next season with the club's under-15 team, he played on the team that won the league and cup double. The team won its league, the Division d'Honneur, and also captured the Coupe de Paris.[6] At under-16 level, Paris Saint-Germain and Kebano won the Championnat National des 16 ans. Though, he is still eligible to compete at youth level, ahead of the 2010–11 season, Kebano was promoted to the club's Championnat de France amateur team in the fourth division. He was also placed onto the club's squad for the UEFA Europa League being assigned the number 38 shirt by manager Antoine Kombouaré.

Kebano made his amateur debut on 8 August 2010 in a 1–0 victory over Bourg-Péronnas.[7] The following week, he scored his first amateur goal in a 4–1 win over Monts d'Or Azergues.[8] After rotating between the club's reserve and Coupe Gambardella teams in the fall campaign, in December 2011, Kebano was called up to the senior team for the first time to participate in the club's final Europa League group stage match against Ukrainian club Karpaty Lviv. He appeared on the substitute's bench, but failed to make his debut as Paris Saint-Germain and Karpaty drew 1–1.[9] After the winter break, Kebano returned to the club's reserve team and spent January playing with the team. In February 2011, he was called back up to the senior team after being named to the 18-man roster to play amateur club Martigues in the Coupe de France. On 2 February, Kebano made his professional debut in the match appearing as a substitute for Mevlüt Erdinç in a 4–1 victory.[10] [11] He scored his first professional goal for the club on 2 March 2011 in a 2–0 win over Le Mans in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.[12]

On 14 August 2012, Kebano was loaned to Ligue 2 side SM Caen. As the 2012–13 season ended, Kebano was released to Charleroi.

Fulham

On 26 August 2016, Kebano signed for Fulham on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, with a club option for an additional 12 months.[13] He scored his first goal for Fulham in a 3–2 win against Wigan Athletic on 11 February 2017.[14]

On 27 July 2020, in the first leg of the 2020 Championship play-offs semi-final against Cardiff City, Kebano scored directly from a free kick in his third consecutive match,[15] becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the top four English divisions since Wayne Rooney.[16]

Middlesbrough (loan)

On 1 February 2021, Kebano joined Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[17] Five days later, he made his debut for Boro, being included in the starting line-up for a 4–1 home league defeat by Brentford.[18] On 13 February 2021, he scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 2–1 away defeat by Derby County.[19]

Al Jazira

On 8 July 2023, Abu Dhabi based club Al Jazira announced the signing of Kebano, following the expiry of his contract with Fulham at the end of the previous month.[20]

International career

Kebano is now a DR Congo international player. His first game was against Ivory Coast in Abidjan on 15 October 2014. His team won 3–4 and he scored the very first goal of the game after 23 minutes. In the past he was a French youth international having earned caps at under-17, under-18 level, and under-19 level. With the under-17 team, he went unnoticed by coach Philippe Bergeroo until the Elite Round of qualification for the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship when he was finally called up to the team.[21] Kebano made his youth international debut on 24 March 2009 in the team's first Elite Round group stage match against Belarus.[22] He appeared in the team's next group stage match against Norway and, after France qualified for the competition, was named to the team to participate in the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[23] Kebano appeared in all three group stage matches as France were eliminated without procuring a victory. In the team's final group stage match against Italy, Kebano scored the opening goal in a 2–1 defeat.[23]

With the under-18 team, Kebano made his debut on 27 October 2009 in a friendly match against Denmark.[24] He scored his first goal for the team on 10 December in a 1–1 draw with the Ukraine.[25] At the 2010 edition of the Copa del Atlantico on the Canary Islands, Kebano scored the second goal in a 4–2 rout of Spain.[26] He finished the under-18 campaign with eight appearances and two goals. Kebano was called up to the under-19 team in August 2010 to play in the Sendai Cup in Japan. He appeared in all three matches as France finished in third place. In October 2010, he played in qualification matches for the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. On 10 October, in the team's second group stage match against Montenegro, Kebano scored the opening goal in a 2–0 victory.[27]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Paris Saint-Germain2010–11Ligue 1302100200071
2011–12Ligue 10000002020
Total302100400091
Caen2012–13Ligue 21212120162
Charleroi2013–14Belgian Pro League26511276
2014–15Belgian Pro League3312313613
2015–16Belgian Pro League51004394
Total6418420043007223
Genk2015–16Belgian Pro League3465200398
2016–17Belgian Pro League30004171
Total37652004100469
Fulham2016–17Championship286101020326
2017–18Championship263101010293
2018–19Premier League70101090
2019–20Championship163000032195
2020–21Premier League502130101
2021–22Championship4092020449
2022–23Premier League1700000170
Total139217180006216024
Middlesbrough (loan)2020–21Championship1810000181
Career total273472071001246232160

International

Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first[28]

List of international goals scored by Neeskens Kebano
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
align=center 1 15 October 2014 Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast align=center 1–0 align=center 4–3 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
align=center 2 4 September 2016 Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo align=center 1–0 align=center 4–1 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
align=center 3 13 November 2016 Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry, Guinea align=center 1–1 align=center 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center 4 20 January 2017 Stade d'Oyem, Oyem, Gabon align=center 1–0 align=center 2–2 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
align=center 5 11 November 2017 Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo align=center 3–1 align=center 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center 6 17 November 2020 Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola align=center 1–0 align=center 1–0 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Fulham

2021–22[29]

2020[30]

Individual

2015[31]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Fulham . English Football League . 16 . 17 June 2018.
  2. Web site: Neeskens Kebano . Al Jazira Club . 1 December 2023.
  3. Web site: Neeskens Kebano: "le PSG est une fierté teintée de lucidité" . 25 September 2006 . 2 February 2011 . . fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721022301/http://montereau.typepad.fr/montereau/2006/09/neeskens_kebano.html . 21 July 2011 . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: Kebano: "Etre digne de cette convocation" . 23 March 2009 . 2 February 2011 . . fr .
  5. News: Neeskens Kebano en hommage à Johan Neeskens . 26 March 2009 . Espoirs du Football . 2 February 2011 . fr . https://web.archive.org/web/20110118093023/http://www.espoirsdufootball.com/1140-neeskens-kebano-en-hommage-a-johan-neeskens.html . 18 January 2011 . dead .
  6. Web site: Interview N°213: Neeskens Kebano . 10 October 2009 . 2 February 2011 . Les Titis du PSG . fr .
  7. News: Paris SG B v. Bourg-Péronnas Match Report . 8 August 2010 . Foot-National . 2 February 2011 .
  8. News: Monts d'Or Azergues v. Paris SG B Match Report . 15 August 2010 . Foot-National . 2 February 2011 .
  9. Web site: Karpaty and PSG make their point . . fr . 15 December 2010 . 30 January 2011.
  10. News: Neeskens Kebano débute en pro . 2 February 2011 . Espoirs du Football . 2 February 2011 . fr . https://web.archive.org/web/20110203170520/http://www.espoirsdufootball.com/14841-neeskens-kebano-debute-en-pro.html . 3 February 2011 . dead .
  11. News: Martigues v. Paris Saint-Germain Match Report . 2 February 2011 . . 2 February 2011 . fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194518/http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/73932 . 30 April 2012 . dmy-all .
  12. News: La jeunesse parisienne au pouvoir . 2 March 2011 . . 2 March 2011 . fr .
  13. News: Neeskens Kebano: Fulham sign DR Congo forward from Genk. BBC Sport. 26 August 2016. 21 February 2016.
  14. News: Fulham 3–2 Wigan . BBC Sport . 11 February 2017 . 24 February 2017.
  15. Web site: Fayiga . Kunle . Onomah and Kebano strikes give Fulham away goal advantage over Cardiff City . Goal.com . 11 January 2021 . 27 July 2020.
  16. Web site: Kebano's Contract Extension . Fulham FC . 11 January 2021 . 5 August 2020.
  17. Web site: Boro Make Deadline Day Swoop For Neeskens Kebano . Middlesbrough F.C. . 1 February 2021 . 1 February 2021.
  18. News: Middlesbrough 1-4 Brentford: Ivan Toney scores twice as Bees go second in Championship . . 6 February 2021 . 15 February 2021.
  19. News: Derby County 2-1 Middlesbrough: Colin Kazim-Richards nets stunning goal as Rams beat out-of-form Boro . . 13 February 2021 . 15 February 2021.
  20. Web site: 8 July 2023 . We are pleased to announce the signing of DR Congo winger Neekens Kebano . 9 July 2023 . .
  21. News: Un nouveau Kebano . 13 October 2010 . . 2 February 2011 .
  22. News: Late goals add gloss to France's winning start . https://archive.today/20120709213332/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15212/match=304534/report=rp.html . dead . 9 July 2012 . 24 March 2009 . . 2 February 2011 .
  23. News: France step on to Group 7 summit . https://archive.today/20120714102248/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15212/match=304548/report=rp.html . dead . 14 July 2012 . 26 March 2009 . . 2 February 2011 .
  24. News: France v. Denmark Match Report . 27 October 2009 . . 2 February 2011 .
  25. News: Ukraine v. France Match Report . 10 December 2009 . . 2 February 2011 .
  26. News: Spain v. France Match Report . 29 January 2010 . . 2 February 2011 .
  27. News: France v. Montenegro Match Report . 10 October 2010 . . 13 November 2010 .
  28. Web site: Neeskens, Kebano. National Football Teams. 22 January 2017.
  29. Web site: Championship: 2021/22: Current table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 8 May 2022.
    Web site: Fulham: Squad details: 2021/22 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 8 May 2022.
  30. News: Brentford 1–2 Fulham . Rob . Stevens . BBC Sport . 4 August 2020 . 7 August 2020.
  31. Web site: Fulham complete £3.8m Neeskens deal – and yes – he IS named after Dutch legend. 26 August 2016. My London. 12 July 2019.