Fabrice Muamba

Early life

Muamba was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). His father fled the country in 1994 because of his political views and arrived in the United Kingdom seeking asylum. In 1999, he was granted indefinite leave to remain, at which time he was joined by the rest of the family.{{cite news

Club career

Arsenal

Muamba was associated with Arsenal's youth system as a schoolboy from 2002, joining their Academy as a first-year scholar in August 2004. He signed his first professional contract in October 2005 and made his first team debut on 25 October in a League Cup tie against Sunderland, in front of a 47,000 crowd at the Stadium of Light. He made his second and final first team appearance for Arsenal in the next round, against Reading, where he contributed to a 3–0 victory.

Birmingham City

In August 2006, Muamba joined Championship club Birmingham City on a season-long loan. After a slow start, his energetic style of play, which has been likened to that of his hero Patrick Vieira, established him as a regular starter in central midfield. The fans were equally impressed, voting him their Young Player of the Season.{{cite news

On 11 May 2007 Muamba made his move to Birmingham City permanent, signing a three-year contract for a fee reported by the club of £4 million. He scored his first goal for the club, a close-range volley from a corner, on 12 March 2008 in a 4–2 defeat at Portsmouth. He made 37 appearances as Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League after one season back in the top tier.

Bolton Wanderers

On 16 June 2008, Muamba joined Premier League Bolton Wanderers for a fee of £5 million, with add-ons worth a further £750,000, on a four-year contract. He scored his first goal for the club against Wigan Athletic on 13 March 2010. In recognition of his impressive 2009–10 season at Bolton, he was named as The Bolton News Player of the Season. On 7 August, Muamba signed a new four-year contract with Bolton.

Muamba scored on the opening day of the 2011–12 league season, in Bolton's 4–0 away win against Queens Park Rangers.

Cardiac arrest and retirement

On 17 March 2012, Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the first half of an FA Cup quarter-final match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. After receiving lengthy attention on the pitch from medical personnel – including a consultant cardiologist, Dr. Andrew Deaner who was at the game as a fan – Muamba was taken to the specialist coronary care unit at the London Chest Hospital. Bolton manager Owen Coyle and club captain Kevin Davies accompanied Muamba in the ambulance. The match was abandoned by referee Howard Webb, and Bolton's next game, against Aston Villa, due to be played three days later, was postponed at the club's request. Aston Villa raised no objection.

Bolton's club doctor later confirmed that Muamba had received numerous defibrillator shocks both on the pitch and in the ambulance, but his heart had stopped for 78 minutes. The player was initially kept under anaesthesia in intensive care. By 19 March, his heart was beating without medication and he was able to move his limbs. Later that day his condition was described as "serious" rather than "critical" and he was able to recognise family members and respond appropriately to questions. By 21 March, his consultant suggested that Muamba's progress had "exceeded our expectations" and that although he faced a "lengthy recovery period", "normal life is within the spectrum of possibility".

Two weeks after the incident, a photograph was released of Muamba sitting up in his hospital bed and smiling. He was discharged from hospital on 16 April, having been fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Muamba attended Bolton's home match against Tottenham Hotspur on 2 May, where he expressed his gratitude for the support he had received.

On 15 August 2012, Bolton announced that Muamba had retired from professional football, based on the recommendation of his medical team. Muamba said:

On 8 November 2012, Muamba returned to White Hart Lane for the first time since his cardiac arrest and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Muamba later played 15 minutes in Ian Goodison's testimonial match in 2015.

Post-playing career

Media work

Following his retirement from the game, Muamba was part of ITV's coverage of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also a co-commentator alongside Derek Rae on BT Sport's coverage of the African World Cup qualification third round play-offs.

Journalism

Muamba studied for a BA in sports journalism at Staffordshire University; as part of his course he went on work placement at BBC North West Tonight. In July 2015, he graduated with honours.

Coaching

In March 2015, Muamba took some coaching sessions at Liverpool's academy. He later did his UEFA B Licence at Manchester City and A Licence at Stoke City.

In September 2018, he coached Rochdale's under-16 side while studying for his coaching badges, and in 2022, he returned to Bolton Wanderers to work in their academy where he was appointed as under-15s coach.

In March 2024, he announced that he had taken up a role coaching with the Burnley academy, whilst also working as a Player Services Executive for the PFA.

International career

As a naturalised British citizen, Muamba was eligible to play for any of the Home Nations in which he had received three years of full-time education before the age of 18 or lived in for five years. In Muamba's case, that was just England, whom he represented at all youth levels, and captained the U-19 team. He received his first call-up for England U21 for the friendly against Romania U-21 on 21 August 2007 at Ashton Gate, Bristol, and made his debut as a second-half substitute.

Muamba had also been called up to the DR Congo squad in May 2007, but declined so as to remain eligible for England.

Personal life

Muamba met Shauna Magunda while he was a Birmingham City player and she was studying for a master's degree at Birmingham City University. They became engaged on 14 February 2012, married at Peckforton Castle, Cheshire, on 21 October 2012, and, , have three sons and a daughter. Muamba has been described as "deeply religious", and stated he would have sought a career in accountancy had he not become a professional footballer.

In July 2012, the University of Bolton awarded an honorary doctorate to Muamba, which he accepted on behalf of those involved in saving his life. He took part in the 2012 Christmas Special edition of the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing.

Career statistics

Honours

England U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship runners-up: 2009

References

References

1. (2010). "The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11". Mainstream Publishing.
2. "First-Team Profiles: Fabrice Muamba". Bolton Wanderers F.C.
3. Chronnell, Paul. (7 December 2005). "Muamba: Can he really be the new Vieira?". Islington Gazette.
4. (17 March 2012). "Fabrice Muamba collapses at Tottenham v Bolton game". The Daily Telegraph.
5. Lambrou, Lambros. (2 November 2005). "Young Guns – Fabrice Muamba". Arsenal F.C.
6. (29 November 2005). "Arsenal 3–0 Reading". BBC Sport.
7. (27 July 2006). "Arsenal pair to join Birmingham". BBC Sport.
8. (11 May 2007). "Muamba signs deal with Birmingham". BBC Sport.
9. (11 May 2007). "Blues snap up Muamba". Birmingham City F.C.
10. Hassan, Nabil. (12 March 2008). "Portsmouth 4–2 Birmingham". BBC Sport.
11. (16 June 2008). "Muamba joins Bolton". Birmingham City F.C.
12. Phillips, Owen. (13 March 2010). "Bolton 4–0 Wigan". BBC Sport.
13. Iles, Marc. (10 May 2010). "Reebok's Korean ace is simp-Lee the best". The Bolton News.
14. (7 August 2010). "Midfielder Fabrice Muamba signs new Bolton contract". BBC Sport.
15. Chowdhury, Saj. (27 October 2011). "Arsenal 2–1 Bolton". BBC Sport.
16. Randhawa, Kiran. (19 March 2012). "Fans praise "hero" doctor who rushed on pitch to save Muamba". The Evening Standard.
17. (17 March 2012). "Bolton's Fabrice Muamba collapses during Spurs–Bolton match". BBC Sport.
18. (19 March 2012). "Spurs offer 'support' to players after Fabrice Muamba collapse". BBC Sport.
19. (24 March 2012). "Bolton fans stage Fabrice Muamba mosaic tribute". BBC Manchester.
20. (21 March 2012). "Fabrice Muamba was 'dead' for 78 minutes – Bolton doctor". BBC Sport.
21. (18 March 2012). "Muamba remains critical". Evening Standard.
22. (19 March 2012). "Fabrice Muamba Update – Monday 19 March, 15.30". Bolton Wanderers F.C.
23. (19 March 2012). "Fabrice Muamba can recognise family, say hospital and Bolton". BBC Sport.
24. (30 March 2012). "Fabrice Muamba's first picture since collapse put on his Twitter feed". The Guardian.
25. (16 April 2012). "Fabrice Muamba: Bolton midfielder discharged from hospital". BBC Sport.
26. (2 May 2012). "Fabrice Muamba happy to be back at 'special' Bolton". BBC Sport.
27. (15 August 2012). "Fabrice Muamba Statement". Bolton Wanderers F.C.
28. (8 November 2012). "Fabrice Muamba makes emotional return to White Hart Lane". [[Sky Sports]].
29. (24 January 2013). "Watch 2013 Africa Cup of Nations live on ITV4". ITV.
30. (13 December 2013). "Fabrice Muamba: BBC placement helps start journalism career". BBC Sport.
31. (9 July 2015). "Ex-Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba graduates from University with BA in Sports Journalism". Manchester Evening News.
32. Olver, Tom. (7 March 2015). "Fabrice Muamba taking training sessions at Liverpool academy". Metro.
33. (February 2023). "Loving the game again: Fabrice Muamba".
34. (24 September 2018). "Fabrice Muamba: Former Bolton and Birmingham midfielder coaches at Rochdale". BBC Sport.
35. Iles, Marc. (15 March 2022). "Bolton Wanderers to offer Fabrice Muamba coaching role 10 years after collapse". The Bolton News.
36. https://www.thepfa.com/about-us/meet-the-team, Fabrice Muamba profile at the PFA, Professional Footballers' Association, Retrieved 2 March 2024
37. "Fabrice Muamba". The Football Association.
38. (16 August 2007). "Agbonlahor in England U21 squad". BBC Sport.
39. (21 August 2007). "England U21 1–1 Romania U21". BBC Sport.
40. (23 May 2007). "Muamba turns down DR Congo call". BBC Sport.
41. "About Shauna". Shauna Muamba.
42. White, Steve. (22 October 2012). "What a fab day! Heart-stop footballer Muamba marries his fiancee". Daily Mirror.
43. Muamba, Fabrice. (14 June 2021). "Mental battle is the toughest part of Christian Eriksen's journey ahead". The Times.
44. (18 March 2012). "Fabrice Muamba: devoted father and footballer". Sky News.
45. (February 2008). "Boy's A Bit Special: Fabrice Muamba".
46. (13 July 2012). "Fabrice Muamba gets University of Bolton honorary doctorate".
47. (25 December 2012). "Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2012". BBC.
48. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2005
49. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2006
50. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2007
51. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2008
52. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2009
53. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2010
54. {{Soccerbase season. 41528. 2011
55. McIntyre, David. (29 June 2009). "Germany U21 4–0 England U21". BBC Sport.