Eric Djemba-Djemba


Eric Daniel Djemba-Djemba is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He previously played club football in France, England, Qatar, Denmark, Israel, Scotland, India, Indonesia and Serbia. In international competition, he represented Cameroon, having appeared for his country 34 times, including at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Nantes

Djemba-Djemba rose to prominence with Nantes in France, where he forged a successful partnership with Mathieu Berson. His impressive performances as a feisty and uncompromising tackler for the French club earned him a dream move to Manchester United for £3.5 million in the summer of 2003, signed by Alex Ferguson as a possible eventual successor to the 31-year-old Roy Keane.

Manchester United

Arriving in England, Djemba-Djemba was unknown to many fans and pundits alike. He established his aggressive style on his debut against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield, with a tackle on Arsenal's Sol Campbell which Arsène Wenger called "obscene".
In 18 months at Old Trafford, Djemba-Djemba found it difficult to maintain a period of sustained form, and he was eventually unable to establish himself as a player capable of filling captain Roy Keane's shoes. A highlight during his United career was when he scored a looping volley against Leeds United in the League Cup. With the score at 2–2 and 3 minutes of extra time left, Quinton Fortune swung in a corner which reached Djemba-Djemba, who hit it first time and it looped over Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson which secured a 3–2 win and progression to the next round. He scored only once more for United, in a 5–0 UEFA Champions League win over Greek side Panathinaikos.

Aston Villa

Djemba-Djemba was sold to Aston Villa in the January 2005 transfer window for a fee of £1.5 million. However, the move did little to restore the player's reputation as he found it difficult to move ahead of Gavin McCann and Steven Davis in Villa's midfield. After being played only once, as a late substitute against Arsenal in the first ever game at the Emirates Stadium, by new Villa manager Martin O'Neill on the first day of the 2006–07 season, Djemba-Djemba was loaned out to Championship club Burnley for the remainder of the season in the January transfer window.

Loan to Burnley

Djemba-Djemba made his first appearance for Burnley on 13 January 2007 against Southampton, playing the full 90 minutes. Early in his time at Turf Moor, he was sent off for the Lancashire side after a second bookable offence at Derby County; however he impressed with his skillful and effective play during his loan spell.
During July 2007, all signs pointed to Djemba-Djemba leaving Villa Park after he was the only member of the first-team squad not to be included in the North American tour and on 2 August 2007, his contract was terminated by Aston Villa.
Daily Mail placed Djemba-Djemba thirteen as the biggest transfer flops in Premier League history.

Qatar SC

Following his departure from Aston Villa, Djemba-Djemba joined Qatar SC on a free transfer. He only played one season at the Qatar-based club, but managed to get his football career back on track.

Odense BK

On 16 July 2008, Djemba-Djemba signed a three-year contract with Danish outfit Odense Boldklub, the contract was later extended with a year. He previously went on a trial with the club and made his Odense debut against former club Aston Villa in the Intertoto Cup. Odense drew the match 1–1, losing 2–1 on aggregate. In his career in Odense, Djemba-Djemba impressed the club's fans, with his good ball skills and great performances. In his first season as an Odense player, he played good football and was by many called the league's best player. In 2009, in the 72nd minute against Esbjerg fb away, Djemba-Djemba became the first player in the Danish league to assist with his sock, as the sole of his right boot had come off, forcing him to finish the game with one boot. Later that year, Djemba-Djemba was among three other players to be nominated for the SAS Liga player of the year.
In the summer of 2010, Djemba-Djemba was linked a move back to England by joining West Brom and Italian side Lecce. After traveling to England for transfer talk, the move was broken down and this led accusations against West Brom by the club and Djemba-Djemba, himself.
At the end of the 2011–12 season, Djemba-Djemba's future at OB was uncertain after his contract expired. Despite expected negotiations, Djemba-Djemba instead left the club. The year before, he, along with Peter Utaka, had been told by the club's officials that their contracts would not be renewed. As a result of their contracts not being renewed, the club decided to release players sooner rather than later.

Hapoel Tel Aviv

On 14 August 2012, Djemba-Djemba signed a two-year contract with Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv. Djemba-Djemba played a total of 28 league games with the Tel Aviv-based team.

Partizan

On 24 July 2013, Djemba-Djemba signed a two-year contract with Serbian side Partizan. He made his debut in a Champions League qualifying match away to Ludogorets Razgrad on 31 July 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute. However, Djemba-Djemba hardly played for Partizan during the first half of the season. The club's signing of Nikola Drinčić on 20 December meant that Djemba-Djemba became surplus to requirements and his contract was terminated on 23 December 2013.
Upon joining St Mirren, Djemba-Djemba once went on three month unpaid at the club.

St Mirren

On 5 February 2014, Djemba-Djemba signed a short-term deal with Scottish Premiership club St Mirren. He said he hoped his move to St Mirren can help him gain a place in the Cameroon squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Upon joining the club, Manager Danny Lennon described Djemba-Djemba as the club's biggest signing.
Djemba-Djemba made his debut for the club, in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, as St Mirren lost 2–1 against Dundee United. After making just three appearances in all competitions, he was released by the club at the end of the season and also failed to secure a place on the Cameroon squad for the world cup.

Chennaiyin FC

In October 2014, Djemba-Djemba signed a short-term deal with Indian Super League club Chennaiyin FC.

Persebaya Bhayangkara

In February 2015, Djemba-Djemba signed for Indonesian Super League club Persebaya Bhayangkara.
In 2016 Djemba-Djemba joined Swiss fifth-tier club FC Vallorbe-Ballaigues.

International career

Djemba-Djemba was a member of the Cameroon team that won the 2002 African Nations Cup and finished as runners-up to France at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. While in the Confederations Cup, Djemba-Djemba revealed that he was the last person to have a conversation with Marc-Vivien Foé before Foé collapsed on the pitch and later died in the hospital. He also appeared at the 2002 World Cup. However, Djemba-Djemba was not included for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, due to managerial differences. Despite his attempt to make the Cameroon squad for the 2014 World Cup, Djemba-Djemba was not included in the 28-man provisional World Cup squad and thus missing out on the World Cup under the management of Volker Finke.

Personal life

Djemba-Djemba was born in Douala, Cameroon. He was declared bankrupt following his move from Manchester United to Aston Villa in 2007.
Djemba-Djemba was married and fathered four children before being divorced. Djemba-Djemba is a Christian.

Honours

Club

Manchester United
Cameroon