An agreement has been reached between OM, Rennes and Stéphane M'Bia for the transfer of the player to Marseille. He will undergo a medical visit on Monday before signing a four year contract. He will be offically presented to the Press at La Commanderie on Monday at 16h30.
A defensive midfielder combining pace and strength is what the OM general staff were looking for. The Cameroon international Stéphane M’Bia marvellously replies to these criteria. After having stated his desire, over the course of the last few days, to join Marseille, this solid player has finally gotten that which he, and his new club, wanted.
Having finished his training in Brittany, the native of Yaoundé played, to great success, in a number of defensive positions as and when needed, under the orders of Bölöni, Dréossi and finally Lacombe. Right fullback, central defender or defensive midfielder, on each occasion his solidity and explosivity shone through. He has now settled as a defensive midfielder.
A finalist of the 2008 African Nations Cup where he notably scored two goals in the quarter final of the competition, he also came in 2nd place in the voting for the young African player of the year. A regular in the National side, at 23 years of age he is stepping up another level in joining Marseille.
Stéphane M'BIA
Defensive Midfielder
Born on the 20th of May 1986 in Yaoundé (Cameroon)
1m89 - 82 kg
International A (Cameroon)
Achievements
Finalists of the Coupe de France in 2009 (Rennes)
Finalist of the African Nations Cup in 2008 (Cameroon)
Former clubs
- 2004/05: Rennes – L1 – 1 match
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2005/06: Rennes – L1 – 22 m (UEFA Cup: 3m)
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2006/07: Rennes – L1 – 30 m, 1 goal
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2007/08: Rennes – L1 - 25 m, 3 goals (UEFA Cup: 4 m, 1 goal)
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2008/09: Rennes – L1 – 27 m (UEAF Cup: 2 m, 1 goal)
