Player Profile: Shabani Nonda

Full Name: Shabani Chris Nonda
Date of Birth: 6th March 1977, Bujumbura (Burundi)
Nationality: Congolese
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 9
Internationals: Capped at Full level for Democratic Republic of Congo
Signed: August 2006 (on loan from Roma)
Previous Clubs: FC Zurich (Switzerland), Rennes, Monaco (both France) & Roma (Italy)

Having been born in Burundi Shabani Nonda and his family fled the war torn African nation as Civil war raged, but not before some horrific sites were witnessed.

As a teenager shelter was sought by Nonda and his family in neighbouring Tanzania. Eventually he became a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) whom he now represents at International level. Injuries have restricted these performances in recent years however.

His footballing career began with FC Zurich in 1995 and he scored 36 goals in 75 appearances before his goalscoring record brought him to the attention of other European teams. One such team were French top flight club Rennes, with him signing for them in 1998.

Between 1998 and 2000 whilst with Rennes he had a strike rate of exactly one goal every other game after finding the net 31 times in 62 games. This kind of strike rate alerted yet more of Europe’s top club sides and as would be inevitable Nonda eventually moved on.

A big money £13 million move across France to the rich man’s tax haven of Monaco took place in 2000. Despite some injury problems (between 2003 and 2005 in particular) Nonda was to be part of a successful Monaco side, the highlight seeing him a Champions League runner-up in 2004 also winning the Golden Boot in the 2002-2003 season with 26 goals in 35 games. In his five-year stay at Monaco he scored 57 goals in 116 games yet again very nearly a goal every other game.

An even greater European superpower in Italian giants Roma came calling in 2005. A frustrating season of injuries and lack of first team football saw the forward limited to just 16 games during the 2005-2006 season. He managed to score 4 goals though, two of which came in European competition.

Hopefully Nonda can recapture his top form having arrived for the 2006-2007 season on loan from Roma on transfer deadline day in August. Should he impress Mark Hughes a longer term deal is in the offering with the early signs looking very promising.

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

Nonda only signed on a season long loan in August 2006 so he has no previous Rovers data.

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