Youssouf Mulumbu Explained

Youssouf Mulumbu
Fullname:Nganguyousuf Mulumbu[1] [2]
Birth Date:25 January 1987
Birth Place:Kinshasa, Zaire
Height:1.77 m[3]
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2004–2006
Youthclubs1:Paris Saint-Germain
Years1:2004–2009
Clubs1:Paris Saint-Germain B
Caps1:50
Goals1:1
Years2:2006–2009
Clubs2:Paris Saint-Germain
Caps2:13
Goals2:0
Years3:2007–2008
Clubs3:Amiens (loan)
Caps3:23
Goals3:1
Years4:2009
Clubs4:West Bromwich Albion (loan)
Caps4:6
Goals4:0
Years5:2009–2015
Clubs5:West Bromwich Albion
Caps5:191
Goals5:15
Years6:2015–2017
Clubs6:Norwich City
Caps6:20
Goals6:0
Years7:2017–2018
Clubs7:Kilmarnock
Caps7:18
Goals7:1
Years8:2018–2019
Clubs8:Celtic
Caps8:1
Goals8:0
Years9:2019
Clubs9:Kilmarnock (loan)
Caps9:7
Goals9:1
Years10:2020–2021
Clubs10:Kilmarnock
Caps10:18
Goals10:0
Years11:2021–2022
Clubs11:Saint-Éloi Lupopo
Caps11:37
Goals11:16
Years12:2023–2024
Clubs12:Orléans
Caps12:0
Goals12:0
Years13:2023–2024
Clubs13:Orléans B
Caps13:2
Goals13:0
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalteam1:France U20
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalteam2:France U21
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2008–2019
Nationalteam3:DR Congo
Nationalcaps3:45
Nationalgoals3:1

Nganguyousuf Mulumbu (born 25 January 1987) is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Orléans.

Mulumbu came through Paris Saint-Germain's youth academy. He began playing for Paris Saint-Germain B in 2004 and was promoted to the first-team in 2006. He was sent on two loan deals to Amiens and West Bromwich Albion, respectively, ultimately signing a permanent deal with the latter. He played there several years, winning the club's player of the year award for 2011. In 2015, he moved to newly-promoted Premier League club Norwich City, and he played for Scottish clubs Celtic and Kilmarnock between 2017 and 2021. Afterwards, he returned to Congo to play for Saint-Éloi Lupopo. In 2023 he signed for French team US Orleans.

Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, but growing up in France, Mulumbu represented France at various youth levels, before making his international debut in 2008 aged 21. He shortly withdrew from the national team citing a "lack of professionalism" in 2009. He returned in 2012, and helped the team finish in third place during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Early life

Mulumbu was born in Kinshasa, Zaire, to parents born in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo, in the late 1950s.

He moved to France in the late 1980s with his family, and grew up in the town of Épinay-sous-Sénart, a suburb of Paris. He acquired French nationality on 10 April 2001, through the collective effect of his parents' naturalization.[4]

Club career

Paris Saint-Germain

Mulumbu began playing for the Paris Saint-Germain Academy at age 13.[5] On 22 October 2006, he made his Ligue 1 debut under head coach Guy Lacombe, at 19 years and 10 months in a match against Auxerre.[6] He signed his first professional contract with Paris Saint-Germain on 13 November 2006.[7]

During the 2007–08 season, he was on loan at Amiens in Ligue 2, scoring once in 29 appearances.[8]

West Bromwich Albion

It was reported by the French media on 26 January 2009 that he joined Premier League team West Bromwich Albion on a trial basis. On 2 February 2009, the January transfer deadline day, he joined them on loan with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season. Mulumbu's first term at The Hawthorns was interrupted by injuries and he had to wait until April to make his Premier League debut, coming on as a sub in a 2–2 draw at Portsmouth. He signed for West Brom permanently on a one-year contract for a fee of £175,000 on 10 July 2009.[9]

He was named West Brom's Player of the Year by both the club and the fans at the end of the season, and signed his third contract extension in 13 months on 25 July 2011, tying himself to the club until 2015 (with the option of an extra year).[10]

On 15 March 2014, Mulumbu scored a crucial winner for West Brom in a 2–1 victory against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, giving Pepe Mel his first win as head coach.[11]

Norwich City

In June 2015, it was announced that Mulumbu would sign on a free-transfer for newly promoted Norwich City on 1 July 2015.[12]

On 3 August 2015, Norwich announced that Mulumbu suffered a broken metatarsal in a friendly against Brentford which would require surgery and sideline him for several weeks, ruling him out of the start of the season.[13] He would finally make his debut on 27 October in a League Cup game against Everton, which Norwich lost on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[14] He made his Premier League debut a few days later on 31 October in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester City.[15] However, with Jonny Howson, Alexander Tettey and Graham Dorrans preferred in the centre of midfield, Mulumbu would ultimately be confined to only five league starts and two appearances as a substitute in the 2015–16 season, plus one appearance in the FA Cup, and the season would end with Norwich relegated back to the Championship.

Mulumbu remained with Norwich for the 2016–17 season but again found his opportunities for first team action restricted. His last appearance for Norwich came on 11 February 2017 in a 5–1 win over Nottingham Forest.[16] On 2 May, it was announced that Mulumbu was one of seven players who would be released by Norwich when their contracts expired at the end of the season.[17]

Kilmarnock

On 22 November 2017, it was announced that Mulumbu had signed for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock until the end of the 2017–18 season. Mulumbu reunited with manager Steve Clarke, who had also managed him at West Bromwich.[18] He scored his first goal for Kilmarnock in a 1–0 win against Celtic on 3 February 2018.[19] On 13 July 2018, Clarke said that Mulumbu had left Kilmarnock and was not expected to return to the club.[20]

Celtic

On 31 August 2018, Mulumbu signed a two-year deal with Celtic.[21] Mulumbu was loaned back to Kilmarnock on 31 January 2019, until the end of the 2018 - 19 season,[22] and played 12 times in his second spell with the Ayrshire club. In June 2019, Mulumbu left Celtic after the club activated a break clause in his contract.[23] Mulumbu had made three appearances for the Glasgow side.[23]

Return to Kilmarnock

After a year out of football, Mulumbu trained with Kilmarnock during August 2020.[24] On 28 August, he made his return to the club on a six-month deal.[25] On 11 January 2021, Mulumbu agreed a contract extension to remain at the club until the end of the 2020–21 season.[26] He left Kilmarnock in May 2021 to move to France.[27]

Saint-Éloi Lupopo

On 31 July 2021, Mulumbu signed a one-year contract with Saint-Éloi Lupopo, marking his return to Congo.[28] He left the club as his contract expired in August 2022, after finishing third in the national championship and putting in strong performances as a key player in the team.[29]

Orléans

On 21 September 2023, French Championnat National club Orléans signed Mulumbu to a one-year contract.[30] He suffered an injury during practice shortly after joining, delaying his debut.[31]

International career

Mulumbu was formerly a member of the France under-20 and under-21 teams. He earned his first cap for Congo DR national team against Algeria on 26 March 2008. In 2009, Mulumbu decided to boycott international football after he claimed his national team lacked professionalism. On 23 September 2011, he retired from international duties, quoting "numerous problems we were facing with some authorities within the DR Congo Football Federation".[32] However, in July 2012, he decided to revoke this decision, and made himself available for the Congo DR national team once again.

Personal life

Mulumbu is a Muslim.[33]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[34] [35] [36]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Paris Saint-Germain B2004–05CFA6161
2005–06CFA210210
2006–07CFA120120
2007–08CFA0000
2008–09CFA110110
Total501501
Paris Saint-Germain2006–07Ligue 1120000000120
2007–08Ligue 11000000010
2008–09Ligue 10000002020
Total130000020150
Amiens SC (loan)2007–08Ligue 22310000231
West Bromwich Albion2008–09Premier League60000060
2009–10Championship4034020463
2010–11Premier League3470000347
2011–12Premier League3511000361
2012–13Premier League2820020302
2013–14Premier League3720010382
2014–15Premier League1701030210
Total19715608021115
Norwich City2015–16Premier League70101090
2016–17Championship130001010150
Total200102010240
Kilmarnock2017–18Scottish Premiership1812000201
Celtic2018–19Scottish Premiership1000002030
Kilmarnock (loan)2018–19Scottish Premiership1012000121
Kilmarnock2020–21Scottish Premiership1602020200
Saint-Éloi Lupopo2021–22Linafoot37163716
Career total385351301205041535

Honours

DR Congo

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nganguyousuf MULUMBU personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK .
  2. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 . 2009 . Mainstream Publishing . 978-1-84596-474-0 . 296 .
  3. Web site: Premier League Player Profile Youssouf Mulumbu. 26 April 2011. Premier League. 2 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121002224858/http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~38626,00.html. dead.
  4. Web site: JORF n° 0086 du 11 avril 2001 - Légifrance . 8 November 2023 . legifrance.gouv.fr . 5581 . fr . PDF.
  5. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu . Skyrock . fr . 25 January 2006.
  6. Web site: Auxerre vs. PSG – 22 October 2006 – Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . 22 December 2021.
  7. Web site: PSG prodigy claims contract reward . UEFA.com . en . 14 November 2006.
  8. Web site: Congo DR – Y. Mulumbu – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway . int.soccerway.com . 22 December 2021.
  9. News: Mulumbu pens permanent WBA deal. BBC Sport. 10 July 2009. 21 December 2011.
  10. News: Mulumbu signs new West Brom deal. BBC Sport. 25 July 2011. 26 July 2011.
  11. News: West Brom delight after Youssouf Mulumbu's late winner at Swansea . Joe . Lovejoy . The Guardian . 15 March 2014 . 19 March 2014.
  12. News: Youssouf Mulumbu to join City . Norwich City FC . 22 June 2015.
  13. Web site: Norwich's Youssouf Mulumbu sidelined with broken foot. ESPN Sports Media. ESPN FC. 3 August 2015. 3 August 2015.
  14. News: Everton 1–1 Norwich City (4–3 pens). BBC Sport. 6 August 2017. 27 October 2015.
  15. News: Manchester City 2–1 Norwich City. BBC Sport. 6 August 2017. 31 October 2015.
  16. News: Norwich City 5–1 Nottingham Forest. BBC Sport. 6 August 2017. 11 February 2017.
  17. Web site: Seven Senior Players Set to Leave. Norwich City FC. Canaries.co.uk. 6 August 2017. 2 May 2017.
  18. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu joins Killie until end of the season. Kilmarnock FC. 22 November 2017. 22 November 2017.
  19. News: Kilmarnock 1-0 Celtic . BBC Sport. 3 February 2018. 4 February 2018.
  20. News: Kilmarnock: Youssouf Mulumbu not expected back, says manager Steve Clarke. BBC Sport. 13 July 2018. 16 July 2018.
  21. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu signs for Celtic on a two-year deal. Celtic FC. 31 August 2018. 31 August 2018.
  22. News: Youssouf Mulumbu: Celtic midfielder to return to Kilmarnock on loan . Stefan . Bienkowski . BBC Sport . 31 January 2019 . 31 January 2019.
  23. News: Youssouf Mulumbu to decide future after Congo duty as Celtic cut short deal . BBC Sport . 1 July 2019 . 1 July 2019.
  24. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu close to third spell at Kilmarnock . BBC Sport . BBC . 27 August 2020 . 27 August 2020.
  25. Web site: 28 August 2020. Youssouf Mulumbu seals return to Killie. 28 August 2020. kilmarnockfc.co.uk.
  26. News: Youssouf Mulumbu agrees contract extension . Kilmarnock FC . 11 January 2021.
  27. Web site: Kilmarnock: Youssouf Mulumbu leaves Rugby Park ahead of Dundee play-off . BBC Sport. 21 May 2021 . 21 May 2021.
  28. News: Mabuka . Dennis . Mulumbu: FC Saint Eloi Lupopo sign former PSG midfielder Goal.com . Goal.com . 31 July 2021.
  29. News: DRC: End of contract for Youssouf Mulumbu at Lupopo . 29 November 2022 . Sport News Africa . 24 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129162246/https://sportnewsafrica.com/en/all-african-countries/drc-end-of-contract-for-youssouf-mulumbu-at-lupopo/ . 29 November 2022.
  30. Youssouf Mulumbu devient Jaunes & Rouges ! . . 7 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231010151417/https://orleansloiretfoot.com/youssouf-mulumbu-devient-jaunes-rouges/ . 10 October 2023 . fr-FR . 21 September 2023.
  31. News: Football – À peine recruté et déjà blessé... Youssouf Mulumbu pas verni pour ses débuts à l'US Orléans . 7 November 2023 . La République du Centre . 27 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231006160816/https://www.larep.fr/orleans-45000/sports/a-peine-recrute-et-deja-blesse-youssouf-mulumbu-pas-verni-pour-ses-debuts-a-l-us-orleans_14377857/ . 6 October 2023 . fr.
  32. News: Mulumbu agrees to return to DR Congo fold. BBC Sport . 26 July 2012 . 27 July 2012 .
  33. News: Din. Tusdiq. Fasting and football. How do top-flight Muslims cope?. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fasting-and-football-how-do-topflight-muslims-cope-2342187.html . 7 May 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent. 23 August 2011. 10 July 2013.
  34. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu. Soccerway. 10 May 2014.
  35. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu. National Teams. 10 May 2014.
  36. Web site: Youssouf Mulumbu. Soccerbase. 10 May 2014.
  37. News: DR Congo Nations Cup squad finalised. BBC Sport.