Habib Habibou


Mouhamadou Habib Habibou is a Central African professional footballer who plays as a striker for Liga I club Politehnica Iași.

Club career

Early career

Habibou started his career with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint Germain progressing through the youth setup. After failing to break into the first team he moved to Belgian club R. Charleroi S.C.. During his spell at Charleroi he joined Tubize on loan in 2007 scoring 10 goals in just 13 appearances, his form led to him earning a loan move to Romanian side Steaua Bucureşti in 2008.

Zulte Waregem

In 2010, Habibou joined fellow Belgian side S.V. Zulte Waregem from Charleroi. he was given the squad number 7 shirt. In 2011, Habibou joined English side Brighton & Hove Albion on trial, In December 2011 he also had a trial spell at West Ham United, however he stayed at Zulte Waregem.
After scoring six goals in 13 games in the first half of the 2012–13 season, Habibou interested Premier League side Queens Park Rangers and joined them on trial, also training with Leeds United. After QPR signed French international striker Loïc Rémy the move for Habibou was put on the backburner as he edged closer to a move. With Leeds striker Luciano Becchio handing in a transfer request, Habibou was lined up as a replacement for Becchio in the January window.

Leeds United

On 31 January 2013, transfer deadline day, Habibou completed his move to Leeds United on a six-month loan with the option to make the move permanent. Habibou made his debut as a second-half substitute in Leeds' 1–0 defeat against Cardiff City on 2 February. Habibou's only start came in Leeds' Yorkshire Derby against Huddersfield Town.
On 3 May, Leeds announced that they would not be making Habibou's loan deal permanent.

Later career

On 1 September 2014, transfer deadline day, Habibou joined Rennes on a three-year deal. After 26 appearances and 3 goals in his first season with Rennes, Habibou departed in January 2016 to join Süper Lig team Gaziantepspor on loan. He played nine times but failed to score for the Gaziantep-based club before returning to Rennes. A year later, in January 2017, Habibou joined Ligue 2 side Lens on a two-year contract.

International career

Habibou was called up to the Central African Republic for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso on 14 October 2012. He made his debut in an AFCON qualifying 4–1 loss to DR Congo national football team on 4 September 2016.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.18 November 2018Stade Huye, Butare, Rwanda1–12–22019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Trivia

In 2010, during a Zulte Waregem game against Lokeren, Habibou grabbed and threw a duck over advertising hoardings because it had wandered onto the field.