Player Profile: Christopher Samba

Full Name: Christopher Veijeany Samba
Date of Birth: 28th March 1984, Creteil (France)
Nationality: Congolese
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 21
Internationals: Capped at Full level for DR Congo
Signed: January 2007
Previous Clubs: FC Rouen, CS Sedan Ardennes (Both France) & Hertha Berlin (Germany)

The giant Christopher Samba, quite literally as he measures in at 6 foot 4 inches in height, started his career in the country of his birth France.

Little is really known about Samba, christened "the Beast", or better still "the Wall" by us on Vital Blackburn, but more seems to be coming out all the time. What is known is Samba began his footballing career with FC Rouen before a move to Sedan, also a French club.

Despite making only a handful of appearances with Sedan, German giants Hertha Berlin recognised the quality in Samba and he transferred to Germany in 2004. His time in Germany saw him struggle to command a first team place, however he gained yet further experience and played in European competitions. With German and Croatian seasoned Internationals to battle with it is understandable as to why Samba played so few games for the German outfit.

The Congolese International was brought to the attention of Mark Hughes and he was invited over for a five-day trial during the January transfer window. After impressing sufficiently he earned a three and a half-year contract, signing for a bargain £400,000 as the 2007 January transfer window neared a close.

He may have been born in France but Samba plays his International football with DR Congo due to family connections, and has already amazed more than 20 International caps.

Upon his arrival at Ewood Park Samba immediately became a cult hero, before he even pulled on a Rovers shirt. After doing so this has only grown as has his reputation has with each game he plays, which is even more remarkable as he wasn't due to feature much, if at all this season. Hughes saw him more as one for the future but his performance in training and his powerful and commanding performances when given the chance along with his assurance on the ball; control and poise have seen him become one of the first names on Hughes' team sheet.

His first goal, probably one of many came against West Ham United in the Premiership in mid March.

With time very much on Samba's side he seems quite literally destined for a big future, with every penny of the £400,000 it cost to bring him over looking like money once again very well spent by Hughes.

Blackburn Rovers appearances and goals up to the start of the 2006-2007 Season
League: 0
FA Cup: 0
League Cup: 0
Other (European etc.): 0
TOTAL: 0 - 0 goals

Samba only signed in January 2007 so he has no previous Rovers data.


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