Ryan Nyambe

Nyambe was born in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, raised by his aunt and uncle in the absence of his mother, who had moved to England in search of education. He moved to Manchester to join her at the age of ten in 2008.{{Cite web|last=Sharpe|first=Rich|date=27 March 2017|title='It was the first time I'd seen snow' - Blackburn Rovers youngster Ryan Nyambe on his move to the UK|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15183054.it-first-time-seen-snow---blackburn-rovers-youngster-ryan-nyambe-move-uk/|access-date=6 January 2021|website=Lancashire Telegraph}}{{Cite web |date=23 June 2019 |title=Nyambe set for AFCON bow |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2019/june/nyambe-set-for-afcon-bow/ |access-date=6 January 2021 |website=www.rovers.co.uk |publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.}}{{Cite web |date=12 June 2019 |title=Namibia call up Blackburn Rovers defender Nyambe |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-nations-nam-idUKKCN1TD16N |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613184417/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-nations-nam-idUKKCN1TD16N |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2019 |access-date=6 January 2021 |via=uk.reuters.com}}

Having previously played football for his school whilst living in Namibia, he joined a local team shortly after moving to England before joining the Blackburn Rovers academy in 2011 aged 13.

On 1 July 2015, it was announced that Nyambe had signed his first professional deal, agreeing to a three-year deal with Blackburn that would run until 30 June 2018.{{Cite web |date=1 July 2015 |title=Darragh Lenihan: Blackburn Rovers midfielder signs new contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33346874 |access-date=6 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport}} Just over a month later, on 11 August, Nyambe made his professional debut, being named in Blackburn's starting-eleven for their first round EFL Cup fixture against League One side Shrewsbury Town. Nyambe assisted Nathan Delfouneso's 30th minute equaliser, although Blackburn went on to lose the game 2-1, and were ultimately knocked out of the cup.

On 19 November 2016, Nyambe made his league debut for Blackburn, coming on as a 77th-minute substitution for Danny Graham in a 3–2 Championship victory over Brentford.{{Cite news|date=19 November 2016|title=Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Brentford|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37958535|access-date=19 December 2021}} His first league start came two weeks later, on 3 December, in a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town.{{Cite web|last=Sharpe|first=Rich|date=4 December 2016|title=Academy aces, set piece scares and endeavour shown: Blackburn Rovers 1 Huddersfield Town 1 - Talking Points|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/14945286.academy-aces-set-piece-scares-endeavour-shown-blackburn-rovers-1-huddersfield-town-1---talking-points/|access-date=6 January 2021|website=Lancashire Telegraph}} Despite the 2016–17 season being one to forget, as Blackburn were relegated to League One,{{Cite web|last=Shepka|first=Phil|date=7 May 2017|title=Brentford 1–3 Blackburn Rovers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39760414|access-date=6 January 2021|website=BBC Sport}} Nyambe came away from the season with 31 competitive appearances and the club's Young Player of the Year award.{{Cite web|date=26 April 2017|title=Graham nets top award!|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2017/april/graham-nets-top-award/|access-date=6 January 2021|website=|publisher=Rovers.co.uk|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |date=30 May 2017 |title=Nyambe Rovers' Young Player of the Year |url=https://neweralive.na/posts/nyambe-rovers-young-player-of-the-year |access-date=6 January 2021 |website=New Era |language=en}}

On 21 July 2017, it was announced that Nyambe had agreed a new three-year deal with the club, with the optional for a further 12-months. After a disastrous season the season before, Nyambe helped Blackburn achieve promotion back to the Championship after finishing runners-up to Wigan Athletic in League One at the end of the 2017–18 season. Nyambe made 35 appearances in all competitions for the club, despite suffering a hamstring injury in March 2018.{{Cite web |date=5 May 2018 |title=Blackburn Rovers 2–1 Oxford United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43931508 |access-date=6 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport}} Reflecting on Blackburn's promotion, Nyambe stated: "I'm very proud and it was great to enjoy the occasion with the fans."{{Cite web|date=19 May 2018|title=Ryan relishing Championship challenge|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/may/ryan-relishing-championship-challenge/|access-date=6 January 2021|website=www.rovers.co.uk|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.}}

On 23 April 2019, Blackburn announced that Nyambe had signed a new two-year contract with the club, with the option for an additional year that would see the player's stay at Blackburn be extended until the summer of 2022.{{Cite web |date=23 April 2019 |title=Ryan Nyambe: Blackburn Rovers defender signs two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48029380 |access-date=6 January 2021 |website=BBC Sport}}

Following the expiry of his contract with Blackburn, Nyambe joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year deal.{{cite web |title=Ryan Nyambe: Wigan Athletic sign Blackburn Rovers defender on one-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62239759 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 July 2022 |date=20 July 2022}}

On 19 September 2023, following his release from Wigan Athletic, Nyambe joined Derby County on a deal until January 2024, with the option to extend.{{cite web |title=Derby sign international defender Nyambe |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/09/derby-sign-international-defender-nyambe |website=Derby County |access-date=19 September 2023 |date=19 September 2023}} Nyambe made his debut for Derby in a 2–0 win at Carlisle United on 23 September 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66828736|title=Carlisle United 0–2 Derby County |website=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023}} In his first month at the club, Nyambe became a regular starter at the right-back role for Derby and earned praise for his performances, Nyambe himself expected to improve further as he regained fitness which he lost as a free agent.{{cite web |title=Ryan Nyambe claims there is 'more to come' after international break|url=https://www.derbycounty.news/news/ryan-nyambe-claims-there-is-more-to-come-after-international-break/ |website=Derby County News |access-date=17 October 2023 |date=11 October 2023}} On 25 December 2023, after making 11 league appearances, Nyambe signed a contract extension with Derby until June 2025.{{cite news |title=Derby County announce perfect Christmas present as key man signs new contract |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/derby-county-ryan-nyambe-contract-8993060 |website=Derby Telegraph |access-date=25 December 2023 |date=25 December 2023}} Nyambe would miss several games for Derby in January 2024, during his call up to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for Namibia.{{cite web |title=Nyambe to represent Namibia in AFCON tournament |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/01/nyambe-to-represent-namibia-in-afcon-tournament |website=Derby County |access-date=8 January 2024 |date=2 January 2024}} On 27 February 2024, Nyambe would pick up a quadriceps injury in a match against Charlton Athletic, in March it was confirmed that he had surgery on this injury and would be ruled out for remainder of the 2023–24 season, Nyambe made 21 appearances for Derby during the season.{{cite news |title=Derby County press notes: Major blow confirmed, striker boost and Bolton 'weak' point made

|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-bolton-match-preview-9165218|website=Derby Telegraph |access-date=14 March 2024|date=14 March 2024}} At the end of the season, Derby secured automatic promotion to the Championship with a second-place finish in League One.{{cite news|title=Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-derby-county-promoted-duo-9250843|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=27 April 2024|accessdate=28 April 2024}}

On 4 July 2024, it was announced the Nyambe had signed a new three-year contract at Derby, extending his stay at Pride Park until June 2027.{{cite news|title=Derby defender Nyambe signs three-year contract|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c28eg1z4r4wo|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2024|accessdate=8 July 2024}} After playing in eleven of Derby's first twelve matches of the 2024–25 season, Nyambe would pick up a posterior cruciate ligament injury in Derby's match against Millwall on 19 October 2024 which would leave him on the sidelines for up to six months, Derby head coach Paul Warne said Nyambe was "heartbroken" by the injury.{{cite news|title=Derby's Nyambe left 'heartbroken' by injury blow|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ceqx59w1r0vo|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 October 2024|accessdate=25 October 2024}} He returned from injury ahead of schedule in January 2025.{{cite news|title=John Eustace shares Ryan Nyambe injury update and half time message to Derby County players|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-eustace-shares-ryan-nyambe-10076454|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=2 April 2025|accessdate=15 May 2025}} On 2 April 2025. Nyambe broke the record for the most Championship appearances by an outfield player without ever scoring a goal during Derby's match against Preston North End on 2 April 2025 at 202 appearances.{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to "incredible" Derby County player stat|url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/exclusive-ryan-nyambe-will-be-unbothered-despite-breaking-unwanted-record/|publisher=Football League World|date=4 April 2025|accessdate=15 May 2025}} In the game, Nyambe would sustain a hamstring injury in the fourth minute of the match and was forced to leave the field, the injury ended Nyambe's season a month early with the defender making 19 appearances during his second season at Derby.

Being eligible to represent both England and Namibia, Nyambe confirmed his commitment to play for Namibia, the country of his birth, at international level in May 2019.{{cite web|last=Okeleji|first=Oluwashina|date=4 May 2019|title=Ryan Nyambe: Blackburn defender 'excited' to play for Namibia|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48163196|publisher=BBC Sport}} He was called up by Namibia for the first time in June, being selected for a warm-up friendly against Ghana on 9 June in Dubai, a game in which he made his international debut. Following the game, Namibia manager Ricardo Mannetti selected Nyambe as part of the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

He made his competitive debut for his national side in a group stage game against Morocco on 23 June. Despite the side losing 1-0, Nyambe was credited as having a man-of-the-match performance, despite playing in centre-back, as opposed to his usual right-back position.{{cite web|url=https://roverschat.com/nyambe-makes-competitive-debut-for-namibia-in-afcon/|title=Nyambe makes competitive debut for Namibia in AFCON|date=23 June 2019|website=RoversChat.com}} Nyambe featured in all of Namibia's group stage matches, with the country finishing at the bottom of its group, thus not progressing to the next stage of the tournament.

Missing the nation's three games that followed its Africa Cup of Nations campaign, Nyambe returned to the national team setup in November - being called up for the team's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad and Guinea, games of which he played in both. After a year of being out of the Namibia setup due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Nyambe returned for his national side on 13 November 2020 for the nation's game against Chad, which it went on to lose 1-0. Nyambe would be faced with yet another year of being unable to play for Namibia, eventually returning in November 2021 for the side's 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Congo and Togo.

Nyambe was a part Namibia's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nyambe has said that he models his playing style on that of Rio Ferdinand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/39005438|title=Nyambe's footballing 'dream come true'|date=17 February 2017|access-date=6 December 2020|website=BBC Sport}} He is primarily a right-back, but can also play at centre-back, a position which he often features in for Namibia, and also at left-back.{{Cite web |title=Ryan Nyambe - Defender - First Team - Blackburn Rovers |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/ryan-nyambe/ |access-date=6 January 2021 |website=www.rovers.co.uk |publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.}}

Nyambe is a Manchester United fan.

{{updated|match played 2 April 2025}}

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{{updated|match played 9 September 2023}}{{NFT player |id=74655 |name=Nyambe, Ryan |accessdate=5 January 2021}}

Blackburn Rovers

• EFL League One second-place promotion: 2017–18{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2018–2019 |year=2018 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6106-9 |pages=54–55}}

Derby County

• EFL League One second-place promotion: 2023–24

{{reflist}}

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{{Derby County F.C. squad}}

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{{Namibia squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}

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Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Katima Mulilo

Category:Namibian men's footballers

Category:Namibia men's international footballers

Category:2019 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:Namibian emigrants to the United Kingdom

Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:English Football League players

Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players

Category:Derby County F.C. players

Category:Footballers from Manchester

Category:21st-century Namibian sportsmen