Neeskens Kebano
{{short description|Footballer (born 1992)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Neeskens Kebano
| image = Neeskens Kebano 20110724.jpg
| caption = Kebano with Paris Saint-Germain in 2011
| full_name = Neeskens Kebano{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Fulham |publisher=English Football League |page=16 |access-date=17 June 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|3|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Montereau, France
| height = 1.72 m{{cite web |url=https://www.jc.ae/en/football/first-team/#neeskens-kebano |title=Neeskens Kebano |publisher=Al Jazira Club |access-date=1 December 2023}}
| position = Attacking midfielder, left winger
| currentclub = Al-Jazira
| clubnumber = 92
| youthyears1 = 1996–2006
| youthclubs1 = ASA Montereau
| youthyears2 = 2006–2011
| youthclubs2 = Paris Saint-Germain
| years1 = 2011–2013
| clubs1 = Paris Saint-Germain
| caps1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2012–2013
| clubs2 = → Caen (loan)
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2013–2015
| clubs3 = Charleroi
| caps3 = 64
| goals3 = 18
| years4 = 2015–2016
| clubs4 = Genk
| caps4 = 37
| goals4 = 6
| years5 = 2016–2023
| clubs5 = Fulham
| caps5 = 139
| goals5 = 21
| years6 = 2021
| clubs6 = → Middlesbrough (loan)
| caps6 = 18
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2023–
| clubs7 = Al-Jazira
| caps7 = 44
| goals7 = 10
| nationalyears1 = 2008–2009
| nationalteam1 = France U17
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2009–2010
| nationalteam2 = France U18
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2011
| nationalteam3 = France U19
| nationalcaps3 = 10
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2011–2012
| nationalteam4 = France U20
| nationalcaps4 = 6
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2014–2022
| nationalteam5 = DR Congo
| nationalcaps5 = 35
| nationalgoals5 = 6
| club-update = 20:21, 13 July 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23 September 2022
}}
Neeskens Kebano (born 10 March 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for UAE Pro League club Al-Jazira. Born in France, he represented the DR Congo national team.
Club career
=Early career=
Kebano was born in the commune of Montereau-Fault-Yonne, Île-de-France. He was given his first name as an homage to the former Dutch international midfielder Johan Neeskens whom his father, Nestor Kebano, admired.{{Cite web | url = http://montereau.typepad.fr/montereau/2006/09/neeskens_kebano.html | title = Neeskens Kebano: "le PSG est une fierté teintée de lucidité" | date = 25 September 2006 | access-date = 2 February 2011 | publisher = Montereau-Fault-Yonne | language = fr | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721022301/http://montereau.typepad.fr/montereau/2006/09/neeskens_kebano.html | archive-date = 21 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}{{Cite web| url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/m17ans/actualite/528319.shtml | title = Kebano: "Etre digne de cette convocation" | date = 23 March 2009 | access-date = 2 February 2011 | publisher = French Football Federation | language = fr }}{{cite news | url = http://www.espoirsdufootball.com/1140-neeskens-kebano-en-hommage-a-johan-neeskens.html | title = Neeskens Kebano en hommage à Johan Neeskens | date = 26 March 2009 | work = Espoirs du Football | access-date = 2 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110118093023/http://www.espoirsdufootball.com/1140-neeskens-kebano-en-hommage-a-johan-neeskens.html | archive-date = 18 January 2011 | url-status = dead }} Kebano was immersed into football at an early age and began his career playing for hometown club ASA Montereau. While at Montereau, he also competed in judo before opting to focus on football. In 2004, Kebano was among a host of players attempting to earn selection to the Clairefontaine academy.{{Cite web| url = http://lestitisdupsg.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!237F13A51E00435!12725.entry?&_c02_owner=1 | title = Interview N°213: Neeskens Kebano | date = 10 October 2009 | access-date = 2 February 2011 | publisher = Les Titis du PSG | language = fr }} While at the academy's detection camp, he drew interest from Paris Saint-Germain scout Pierre Reynaud. The club contacted the player and offered him a trial at the club, which he accepted. After spending the 2005 season playing at Montereau, Kebano was contacted again by Paris Saint-Germain who brought him in for a second trial in December 2005. In the following January, the club signed him on an aspirant (youth) contract and he joined the club in July 2006.
=Paris Saint-Germain=
Kebano began his Paris Saint-Germain career at the club's youth academy in the Camp des Loges. He was placed on the club's under-14 team and formed friendships with youth and international teammates Jimmy Kamghain, Alassane Tambe, and Bastien Héry. The combination of the four were particularly instrumental in their youth team's success. With the under-14 team, Kebano won the Championnat Fédéraux de 14 ans. In the next season with the club's under-15 team, he played on the team that won the league and cup double. The team won its league, the Division d'Honneur, and also captured the Coupe de Paris. At under-16 level, Paris Saint-Germain and Kebano won the Championnat National des 16 ans. Though, he is still eligible to compete at youth level, ahead of the 2010–11 season, Kebano was promoted to the club's Championnat de France amateur team in the fourth division. He was also placed onto the club's squad for the UEFA Europa League being assigned the number 38 shirt by manager Antoine Kombouaré.
Kebano made his amateur debut on 8 August 2010 in a 1–0 victory over Bourg-Péronnas.{{cite news | title = Paris SG B v. Bourg-Péronnas Match Report | url = http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-24081.html | date = 8 August 2010 | work = Foot-National | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} The following week, he scored his first amateur goal in a 4–1 win over Monts d'Or Azergues.{{cite news | title = Monts d'Or Azergues v. Paris SG B Match Report | url = http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-24089.html | date = 15 August 2010 | work = Foot-National | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} After rotating between the club's reserve and Coupe Gambardella teams in the fall campaign, in December 2011, Kebano was called up to the senior team for the first time to participate in the club's final Europa League group stage match against Ukrainian club Karpaty Lviv. He appeared on the substitute's bench, but failed to make his debut as Paris Saint-Germain and Karpaty drew 1–1.{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2003039--karpaty-vs-paris/ | publisher = Union of European Football Associations | title = Karpaty and PSG make their point |language = fr |date = 15 December 2010 | access-date = 30 January 2011}} After the winter break, Kebano returned to the club's reserve team and spent January playing with the team. In February 2011, he was called back up to the senior team after being named to the 18-man roster to play amateur club Martigues in the Coupe de France. On 2 February, Kebano made his professional debut in the match appearing as a substitute for Mevlüt Erdinç in a 4–1 victory.{{cite news | url = http://www.espoirsdufootball.com/14841-neeskens-kebano-debute-en-pro.html | title = Neeskens Kebano débute en pro | date = 2 February 2011 | work = Espoirs du Football | access-date = 2 February 2011 | language = fr | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110203170520/http://www.espoirsdufootball.com/14841-neeskens-kebano-debute-en-pro.html | archive-date = 3 February 2011 | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | url = http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/73932 | title = Martigues v. Paris Saint-Germain Match Report | date = 2 February 2011 | work = Ligue de Football Professionnel | access-date = 2 February 2011 | language = fr | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120430194518/http://new.lfp.fr/autresCompetitions/coupeFrance/feuille_match/73932 | archive-date = 30 April 2012 | df = dmy-all }} He scored his first professional goal for the club on 2 March 2011 in a 2–0 win over Le Mans in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.{{cite news | title = La jeunesse parisienne au pouvoir | url = http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/150612/la-jeunesse-parisienne-au-pouvoir/ | date = 2 March 2011 | work = RMC Sport | access-date = 2 March 2011 | language = fr }}
On 14 August 2012, Kebano was loaned to Ligue 2 side SM Caen. As the 2012–13 season ended, Kebano was released to Charleroi.
=Fulham=
On 26 August 2016, Kebano signed for Fulham on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, with a club option for an additional 12 months.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37196692|title=Neeskens Kebano: Fulham sign DR Congo forward from Genk|website=BBC Sport|date=26 August 2016|access-date=21 February 2016}} He scored his first goal for Fulham in a 3–2 win against Wigan Athletic on 11 February 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38865828 |title=Fulham 3–2 Wigan |website=BBC Sport |date=11 February 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017}}
On 27 July 2020, in the first leg of the 2020 Championship play-offs semi-final against Cardiff City, Kebano scored directly from a free kick in his third consecutive match,{{cite web |last1=Fayiga |first1=Kunle |title=Onomah and Kebano strikes give Fulham away goal advantage over Cardiff City |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/onomah-and-kebano-strikes-give-fulham-away-goal-advantage/2l7n70aq2h281cnsbogrcix9g |website=Goal.com |access-date=11 January 2021 |date=27 July 2020}} becoming the first player to achieve this feat in the top four English divisions since Wayne Rooney.{{cite web |title=Kebano's Contract Extension |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/05/neeskens-kebano-contract-extension/ |website=Fulham FC |access-date=11 January 2021 |date=5 August 2020}}
==Middlesbrough (loan)==
On 1 February 2021, Kebano joined Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |title=Boro Make Deadline Day Swoop For Neeskens Kebano |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/boro-make-deadline-day-swoop-for-neeskens-kebano |website=Middlesbrough F.C. |access-date=1 February 2021 |date=1 February 2021}} Five days later, he made his debut for Boro, being included in the starting line-up for a 4–1 home league defeat by Brentford.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55866860 |title=Middlesbrough 1-4 Brentford: Ivan Toney scores twice as Bees go second in Championship |website=BBC Sport |date=6 February 2021 |accessdate=15 February 2021}} On 13 February 2021, he scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in a 2–1 away defeat by Derby County.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55959613 |title=Derby County 2-1 Middlesbrough: Colin Kazim-Richards nets stunning goal as Rams beat out-of-form Boro |website=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2021 |access-date=15 February 2021}}
= Al Jazira =
On 8 July 2023, Abu Dhabi based club Al Jazira announced the signing of Kebano, following the expiry of his contract with Fulham at the end of the previous month.{{Cite web |date=8 July 2023 |title=We are pleased to announce the signing of DR Congo winger Neekens Kebano |url=https://twitter.com/AlJaziraFC_EN/status/1677754808348946432 |access-date=9 July 2023 |website=Twitter |language=}}
International career
Kebano is now a DR Congo international player. His first game was against Ivory Coast in Abidjan on 15 October 2014. His team won 3–4 and he scored the very first goal of the game after 23 minutes. In the past he was a French youth international having earned caps at under-17, under-18 level, and under-19 level. With the under-17 team, he went unnoticed by coach Philippe Bergeroo until the Elite Round of qualification for the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship when he was finally called up to the team.{{cite news | title = Un nouveau Kebano | url = http://www.fff.fr/selections/m19ans/actualite/535282.shtml | date = 13 October 2010 | work = French Football Federation | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} Kebano made his youth international debut on 24 March 2009 in the team's first Elite Round group stage match against Belarus.{{cite news | url = http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15212/match=304534/report=rp.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120709213332/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15212/match=304534/report=rp.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 9 July 2012 | title = Late goals add gloss to France's winning start | date = 24 March 2009 | work = Union of European Football Associations | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} He appeared in the team's next group stage match against Norway and, after France qualified for the competition, was named to the team to participate in the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.{{cite news | url = http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15212/match=304548/report=rp.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714102248/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under17/fixturesresults/round=15212/match=304548/report=rp.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 14 July 2012 | title = France step on to Group 7 summit | date = 26 March 2009 | work = Union of European Football Associations | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} Kebano appeared in all three group stage matches as France were eliminated without procuring a victory. In the team's final group stage match against Italy, Kebano scored the opening goal in a 2–1 defeat.
With the under-18 team, Kebano made his debut on 27 October 2009 in a friendly match against Denmark.{{cite news | title = France v. Denmark Match Report | url = http://www.fff.fr/servfff/fiche_joueur_new/match.php?id_match=145 | date = 27 October 2009 | work = French Football Federation | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} He scored his first goal for the team on 10 December in a 1–1 draw with Ukraine.{{cite news | title = Ukraine v. France Match Report | url = http://www.fff.fr/servfff/fiche_joueur_new/match.php?id_match=167 | date = 10 December 2009 | work = French Football Federation | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} At the 2010 edition of the Copa del Atlantico on the Canary Islands, Kebano scored the second goal in a 4–2 rout of Spain.{{cite news | title = Spain v. France Match Report | url = http://www.fff.fr/servfff/fiche_joueur_new/match.php?id_match=170 | date = 29 January 2010 | work = French Football Federation | access-date = 2 February 2011 }} He finished the under-18 campaign with eight appearances and two goals. Kebano was called up to the under-19 team in August 2010 to play in the Sendai Cup in Japan. He appeared in all three matches as France finished in third place. In October 2010, he played in qualification matches for the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. On 10 October, in the team's second group stage match against Montenegro, Kebano scored the opening goal in a 2–0 victory.{{cite news | title = France v. Montenegro Match Report | url = https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2001673--france-vs-montenegro/ | date = 10 October 2010 | work = Union of European Football Associations | access-date = 13 November 2010 }}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 13 May 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Paris Saint-Germain
|2010–11{{soccerway|157941|access-date=28 July 2017}} |3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2011–12
|Ligue 1 |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| Caen
|12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 16 | 2 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Charleroi
|26 | 5 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 27 | 6 | ||||
| 2014–15
|Belgian Pro League |33 | 12 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 36 | 13 | ||||
| 2015–16
|Belgian Pro League |5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 4{{efn|name=UEL}} | 3 | colspan="2"|– | 9 | 4 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!64 | 18 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 23 | |
| rowspan="3"|Genk
|Belgian Pro League |34 | 6 | 5 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 39 | 8 | |||
| 2016–17
|Belgian Pro League |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 4{{efn|name=UEL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 7 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 9 | |
| rowspan="8"|Fulham
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|58077|2016|access-date=28 July 2017}} |28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2{{efn|name=EFL|Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs}} | 0 | 32 | 6 | ||
| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|58077|2017|access-date=28 July 2017}}
|Championship |26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1{{efn|name=EFL}} | 0 | 29 | 3 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|58077|2018|access-date=13 January 2019}}
|7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 9 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|58077|2019|access-date=13 January 2019}}
|Championship |16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 3{{efn|name=EFL}} | 2 | 19 | 5 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|58077|2020|access-date=13 January 2019}}
|Premier League |5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 1 | |||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|58077|2021|access-date=13 January 2019}}
|Championship |40 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 44 | 9 | |||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|58077|2022|access-date=13 January 2019}}
|Premier League |17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan=2|— | 17 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!139 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 160 | 24 | |
| Middlesbrough (loan)
|Championship |18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 18 | 1 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!273 | 47 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 321 | 60 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
:Scores and results list DR Congo's goal tally first{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/57513/Neeskens_Kebano.html|title=Neeskens, Kebano|website=National Football Teams|access-date=22 January 2017}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Neeskens Kebano | ||||||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center | 1 | 15 October 2014 | Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast | {{fb|CIV}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center | 4–3 | 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| align=center | 2 | 4 September 2016 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|CAR}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center | 4–1 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| align=center | 3 | 13 November 2016 | Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry, Guinea | {{fb|GUI}} | align=center | 1–1 | align=center | 2–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center | 4 | 20 January 2017 | Stade d'Oyem, Oyem, Gabon | {{fb|CIV}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center | 2–2 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations |
| align=center | 5 | 11 November 2017 | Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa, DR Congo | {{fb|GUI}} | align=center | 3–1 | align=center | 3–1 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center | 6 | 17 November 2020 | Estádio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola | {{fb|ANG}} | align=center | 1–0 | align=center | 1–0 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
Honours
Fulham
- EFL Championship: 2021–22{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1849 |title=Championship: 2021/22: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=8 May 2022}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1055&teamTabs=stats&season_id=154 |title=Fulham: Squad details: 2021/22 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=8 May 2022}} - EFL Championship play-offs: 2020{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53603848 |title=Brentford 1–2 Fulham |first=Rob |last=Stevens |website=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020}}
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{lfpfr2}}
- {{leqstat}}
{{Al Jazira Club squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = DR Congo squads
| bg = #007fff
| fg = #f7d618
| bordercolor = #ce1021
| list1 =
{{DR Congo squad 2015 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{DR Congo squad 2017 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{Ebony Shoe}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kebano, Neeskens}}
Category:People from Montereau-Fault-Yonne
Category:Footballers from Seine-et-Marne
Category:French sportspeople of Democratic Republic of the Congo descent
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's footballers
Category:French men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Paris Saint-Germain FC players
Category:Stade Malherbe Caen players
Category:Royal Charleroi S.C. players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Al Jazira Club players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:UAE Pro League players
Category:France men's youth international footballers
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo men's international footballers
Category:2015 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2017 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:French expatriate men's footballers
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate men's footballers
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the United Arab Emirates