Alex Nimely

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Alex Nimely

| image = Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely.jpg

| caption = Alex Nimely playing for FC Honka in 2018

| fullname = Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/10/28/62/fwyc_2009_squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™: List of Players: England |publisher=FIFA |page=7 |date=6 October 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013164551/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/10/28/62/fwyc_2009_squadlists.pdf |archivedate=13 October 2009}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|05|11|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2014/2015 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2014-2015/fltwo/portv.htm |website=footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-date=4 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204221914/http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2014-2015/fltwo/portv.htm |url-status=dead }}

| birth_place = Monrovia, Liberia

| height = 1.80 m{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~51130,00.html |title=Premier League Player Profile |access-date=19 April 2011 |publisher=Premier League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002135758/http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0%2C%2C12306~51130%2C00.html |archive-date=2 October 2012 }}

| position = Forward

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2003–2005

| youthclubs1 = Barrack Y.C

| youthyears2 = 2005–2006

| youthclubs2 = Mighty Barrolle

| years1 = 2006–2008

| clubs1 = Coton de Garoua

| caps1 = 9

| goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2008–2014

| clubs2 = Manchester City

| caps2 = 1

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2011

| clubs3 = → Middlesbrough (loan)

| caps3 = 9

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2012

| clubs4 = → Coventry City (loan)

| caps4 = 17

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2013

| clubs5 = → Crystal Palace (loan)

| caps5 = 2

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2014–2015

| clubs6 = Port Vale

| caps6 = 1

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2016

| clubs7 = Poli Timișoara

| caps7 = 10

| goals7 = 3

| years8 = 2016–2017

| clubs8 = Viitorul Constanța

| caps8 = 18

| goals8 = 4

| years9 = 2017

| clubs9 = Stabæk

| caps9 = 13

| goals9 = 2

| years10 = 2018

| clubs10 = Honka

| caps10 = 20

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2019

| clubs11 = Kettering Town

| caps11 = 4

| goals11 = 0

| totalcaps = 95

| totalgoals = 10

| nationalyears1 = 2009

| nationalteam1 = England U20

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 1

}}

Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely (born 11 May 1991) is a Liberian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is the elder brother of Liberia international Sylvanus Nimely.

A former England under-20 international, he accepted a call-up to play for Liberia in October 2016. He began his career with Mighty Barrolle (Liberia) and Coton de Garoua (Cameroon) before joining Manchester City in 2008. He spent six years at the club but only played one Premier League game, and instead spent time on loan at Middlesbrough, Coventry City, and Crystal Palace. He signed with Port Vale for a short and unhappy spell in November 2014. After a year away from the game, he signed with Romanian club Poli Timișoara in February 2016. He moved on to Viitorul Constanța in July 2016 before signing with Norwegian side Stabæk in April 2017. He moved to Finland in February 2018 to play for Honka. He returned to England to sign for Kettering Town in August 2019.

Club career

=Manchester City=

Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Nimely began his career at Liberian Premier League side Mighty Barrolle, who won the league title in 2006. He moved on to Cameroonian side Coton de Garoua, who won the Elite One title in 2006, 2007 and 2007–08 seasons.

He went on trial with Manchester City in December 2007 before signing a four-year deal with the club in January 2008. He helped City win the FA Youth Cup in 2008. He made his Premier League debut during a 6–1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on 3 April 2010.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8596699.stm "Burnley 1–6 Man City"] BBC Sport. 3 April 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2012. He signed a new four-year contract with the club the following month. He featured in a 1–1 draw with Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on 16 December 2010 that ensured City won their UEFA Europa League group; he was taken off for Pablo Zabaleta on 61 minutes.{{cite news|last1=Barbuti|first1=Jon|title=Juventus 1 – 1 Man City|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9283062.stm|access-date=27 November 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 December 2010}}

On 17 September 2011, he signed a three-month loan deal with Championship side Middlesbrough.{{cite news|title=Middlesbrough sign Man City's Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14946804|access-date=27 November 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 September 2011}} His first appearance came in the League Cup three days later as "Boro" were beaten 2–1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. He went on to make nine league appearances at the club, though he did not start another game. On 12 January 2012, he signed a loan deal with Coventry City until the end of the 2011–12 season after manager Andy Thorn described him as a "hot young prospect".{{cite news|title=Man City loan Alex Tchuimeni-Nimely to Coventry City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16535130|access-date=27 November 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 January 2012}} He scored his first goal in the English Football League on his "Sky Blues" debut in a 3–1 victory over former club Middlesbrough at the Ricoh Arena.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16559506 "Coventry 3–1 Middlesbrough"], BBC Sport. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.

On 10 January 2013, he signed on loan with Crystal Palace until the end of the 2012–13 season, with manager Ian Holloway stating that "I've admired him for a couple of years".{{cite news|title=Crystal Palace sign Alex Nimely from Manchester City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20977835|access-date=27 November 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 January 2013}} He made his debut two days later, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat at Burnley. He played only one further game for the club before returning to the City of Manchester Stadium.

=Port Vale=

Nimely signed a contract with League One side Port Vale in November 2014 to keep him at Vale Park until the end of the 2014–15 season.{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Pete|title=Alex Nimely signing confirmed|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Alex-Nimely-signing-confirmed/story-24787219-detail/story.html|access-date=27 November 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=27 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220042601/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Alex-Nimely-signing-confirmed/story-24787219-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 December 2014|url-status=dead}} He began training with Bolton Wanderers in January 2015.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Alex Nimely training with Bolton Wanderers|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Alex-Nimely-training-Bolton-Wanderers/story-25908570-detail/story.html|access-date=23 January 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=22 January 2015}} The next month he was disciplined by "Valiants" manager Rob Page after staying away from Vale Park without permission.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Valiants take disciplinary action against Alex Nimely|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Valiants-disciplinary-action-Alex/story-26016968-detail/story.html|access-date=13 February 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=12 February 2015}} In March, he again missed training without permission.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Striker Alex Nimely goes AWOL|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Striker-Alex-Nimely-goes-AWOL/story-26200906-detail/story.html|access-date=20 March 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=19 March 2015}} Whilst still missing from training he offered to play for Coventry City for free but his offer was rejected by manager Tony Mowbray, who said the player did not perform well during his time at Middlesbrough when Mowbray was manager there.{{cite news|title=Coventry boss rejects Nimely move because AWOL striker 'didn't cut it' at Middlesbrough|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Coventry-boss-rejects-Nimely-AWOL/story-26230607-detail/story.html|access-date=25 March 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=25 March 2015}} He was released in May 2015.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Robertson the high-profile casualty of Valiants' cull|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-s-retained-list-revealed/story-26469897-detail/story.html|access-date=9 May 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518232653/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-s-retained-list-revealed/story-26469897-detail/story.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}

=Romania=

Nimely signed with Romanian Liga I club Poli Timișoara in February 2016.{{cite news|title=EXCLUSIV De la Manchester City la Poli Timișoara! Alex Nimely a semnat un contract cu formația de pe Bega|url=https://dolce-sport.ro/fotbal/fotbal-intern/exclusiv-manchester-city-poli-timi.html|access-date=20 February 2016|work=dolce-sport.ro|date=18 February 2016|language=Romanian|archive-date=20 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220001415/http://www.dolce-sport.ro/fotbal/fotbal-intern/exclusiv-manchester-city-poli-timi.html|url-status=dead}} He scored three goals in ten games in the 2015–16 season. He signed with Viitorul Constanța in July 2016.{{cite web|title=FC Viitorul a perfectat transferurile lui Alex Nimely și Cătălin Carp|url=http://www.academiahagi.tv/picture/FC-Viitorul-a-perfectat-transferurile-lui-Alex-Nimely-si-Catalin-Carp/fddad92adb808b06cfde927f598fca93|website=academiahagi.tv|access-date=4 July 2016|language=Romanian|date=4 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707023557/http://www.academiahagi.tv/picture/FC-Viitorul-a-perfectat-transferurile-lui-Alex-Nimely-si-Catalin-Carp/fddad92adb808b06cfde927f598fca93|archive-date=7 July 2016|url-status=dead}} He scored six goals in 21 matches in the 2016–17 season under the stewardship of manager Gheorghe Hagi.{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=George|title=Where are they now? Sky Blues stars playing rugby and big in Japan|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-now-14106760|access-date=13 May 2018|work=Coventry Telegraph|date=3 January 2018}}

=Stabæk=

Nimely signed a two-year contract with Norwegian Eliteserien club Stabæk on 1 April 2017 after the club purchased him for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|last1=Strømnes|first1=André|title=Tidligere Manchester City-spiss til Stabæk|url=https://www.budstikka.no/stabak/fotball/nadderud/tidligere-manchester-city-spiss-til-stabak/s/5-55-463571|access-date=1 April 2017|work=budstikka.no|date=1 April 2017|language=no}}{{cite news|title=Alex Nimely Joins Norwegian Club Stabaek|url=http://www.liberiansoccer.com/index.php/sports/item/729-alex-nimely-joins-norwegian-club-stabaek|access-date=14 May 2017|work=liberiansoccer.com|date=4 April 2017|language=en-gb}} However, the form of Ohi Omoijuanfo kept Nimley on the bench, and limited him to just two goals from one league start and 12 league substitute appearances. Nimely subsequently requested the termination of his contract so that he could find regular football elsewhere, and the club agreed to release him just ten weeks after he arrived in Bærum.{{cite news|title=Budstikka – Alex Nimely ferdig i Stabæk|url=https://www.budstikka.no/sport/stabak-fotball/alex-nimely/alex-nimely-ferdig-i-stabak/s/5-55-513583|access-date=1 August 2017|work=budstikka.no|date=19 July 2017|language=no}}

=FC Honka=

After going on trial with Azerbaijan Premier League club Kapaz PFK,{{cite web|title=Man City ex-forward: I came to Kapaz FC to prove myself|url=https://report.az/en/football/man-city-ex-forward-i-came-to-kapaz-fc-to-prove-myself-interview/|website=report.az|publisher=Report|access-date=11 February 2018|date=8 January 2018}}{{cite web|title=Kapaz FC makes decision on Man City ex-footballer|url=https://report.az/en/football/kapaz-fc-makes-decision-on-man-city-ex-footballer/|website=report.az|publisher=Report|access-date=11 February 2018|date=10 January 2018}} Nimely signed for Veikkausliiga club FC Honka on 7 February 2018.{{cite web|title=Alex Nimely Honkan|url=https://esporthonka.fi/alex-nimely-honkaan/|website=esporthonka.fi|publisher=FC Honka|access-date=11 February 2018|language=Finnish|date=7 February 2018}} He made 25 appearances in the 2018 season, helping Honka to a fifth-place finish.

=Kettering Town=

Nimely returned to England and joined National League North side Kettering Town in August 2019.{{cite web |title=Alex Nimely |url=http://www.ketteringtownfc.com/news/alex-nimely |publisher=Kettering Town |access-date=16 August 2019}}

International career

In May 2010, Nimely rejected a call-up from Liberia for 2010 World Cup qualifiers and declared to the press that he had chosen to play for England, as his father is English. He was called up to the under-20 squad for the 2009 U-20 World Cup in Egypt. He scored a goal in a 1–1 draw with Uzbekistan at the Mubarak International Stadium on 2 October.[http://thefa.com/England/MensUnder20s/NewsAndFeatures/2009/WC_squad_announcement.aspx England WC squad announcement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131055059/http://www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder20s/NewsAndFeatures/2009/WC_squad_announcement.aspx |date=31 January 2010 }} The FA This was the only goal England scored in the tournament, and they were eliminated at the Group Stage. He received his first call up to the under-21 side in November 2011 but was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

He accepted a call-up for Liberia in October 2016 and was an unused substitute in a friendly match against Kenya on 15 November 2016.{{cite news|last1=Opiyo|first1=Vincent|title=Paul Were wins it all for Stars against Liberia|url=http://www.soka.co.ke/news/item/paul-were-wins-it-all-for-stars-against-liberia|access-date=15 November 2016|work=soka.co.ke|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122115134/http://www.soka.co.ke/news/item/paul-were-wins-it-all-for-stars-against-liberia|archive-date=22 January 2017|url-status=dead}}

Personal life

Nimely was fined £600 and banned from driving for 18 months after admitting to driving with excess alcohol in January 2014; he had been charged after crashing his car in Manchester.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Stan|title=Drunk Manchester City starlet went wrong way down one way street before smashing into two cars|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/drunk-manchester-city-starlet-alex-6595197|access-date=24 October 2016|work=Manchester Evening News|date=27 January 2014}} He has a younger brother, Sylvanus, who plays in Liberia and has been capped for the senior Liberia squad.{{cite web|last1=Boy Dolo |first1=Edwin |title=Sylvanus Nimely Rising to Fame |url=http://www.liberiansoccer.com/Sylvanus_Nimely_Rising_to_Fame201918117116151142321.htm |website=liberiansoccer.com |access-date=27 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122233501/http://www.liberiansoccer.com/Sylvanus_Nimely_Rising_to_Fame201918117116151142321.htm |archive-date=22 November 2013 }}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="7"\|Manchester City	2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2008\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2009–10{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2009\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2010–11{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2010\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=uel\|Appearance/s in the UEFA Europa League.}}	0	1	0
2011–12{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2011\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2012–13{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2012\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2013–14{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2013\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
Middlesbrough (loan)	2011–12	Championship	9	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	10	0
Coventry City (loan)	2011–12	Championship	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
Crystal Palace (loan)	2012–13	Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Port Vale	2014–15{{Soccerbase season\|id=53761\|season=2014\|accessdate=1 January 2017}}	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Poli Timișoara	2015–16{{Soccerway\|alex-tchuimeni-nimely/97358\|Alex Nimely}}	Liga I	10	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	3
Viitorul Constanța	2016–17	Liga I	18	4	1	2	1	0	1{{efn\|name=uel}}	0	21	6
Stabæk	2017	Eliteserien	13	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	14	3
Honka	2018	Veikkausliiga	20	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	25	0
Kettering Town	2019–20	National League North	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !95	10	7	3	2	0	2	0	106	13