Geoffrey Mujangi Bia
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Mujangi Bia is a DR Congo
-born Belgian international footballer who plays as a midfielder
for Standard Liège
.
to Zellik
, Belgium
as a young child. He began his football career on the books of the Brussels-based club Union Saint-Gilloise
, before being spotted by Anderlecht
. Although one of their academy's most promising players he was released by the club after being caught stealing from them.
After some months without a club, he joined Charleroi
where he made his professional debut on 17 December 2006 in 0–1 defeat at Zulte Waregem, the first of three appearances that season. He scored his first senior goals the following season (3), before 2008–09 saw his most appearances yet as he played 28 league games.
The midfielder joined English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers
on loan on 21 January 2010 for the remainder of the 2009–10 season. He made his Premier League debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw at , one of three appearances that season. At the season's end it was announced he would also spend the 2010–11 season with Wolves.
Mujangi Bia failed to break into Wolves' first team plans during the next season, making just one league appearance, as a late substitute at Manchester City
. He scored his only goal for Wolves in a 5–0 FA Cup
victory over Championship
team Doncaster Rovers
. In April 2011 it was announced that he would transfer to Standard Liège
on a three-year deal once the transfer window re-opened in the summer.
to instead represent the Belgium national football team. He made his international debut on 29 May 2009 in a Kirin Cup draw against Chile
. He has previously also played for Belgium at under-21 level
.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
-born Belgian international footballer who plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
.
Club career
Mujangi Bia emigrated with his family from DR CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
to Zellik
Zellik
Zellik is an urbanised town with over 8,000 inhabitants in the municipality of Asse, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. As a suburb on the northwest edge of Brussels, it is separated from the rest of the agglomeration by the R0 ring road around the city...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
as a young child. He began his football career on the books of the Brussels-based club Union Saint-Gilloise
R. Union Saint-Gilloise
R. Union Saint-Gilloise is a Belgian football club located in the municipality of Forest, though it is named after the neighbour municipality of Saint-Gilles, Brussels. It had been in the second division in 2004-05, but was subsequently relegated to third division. Its matricule is the n°10...
, before being spotted by Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
. Although one of their academy's most promising players he was released by the club after being caught stealing from them.
After some months without a club, he joined Charleroi
R. Charleroi S.C.
Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season...
where he made his professional debut on 17 December 2006 in 0–1 defeat at Zulte Waregem, the first of three appearances that season. He scored his first senior goals the following season (3), before 2008–09 saw his most appearances yet as he played 28 league games.
The midfielder joined English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on loan on 21 January 2010 for the remainder of the 2009–10 season. He made his Premier League debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw at , one of three appearances that season. At the season's end it was announced he would also spend the 2010–11 season with Wolves.
Mujangi Bia failed to break into Wolves' first team plans during the next season, making just one league appearance, as a late substitute at Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. He scored his only goal for Wolves in a 5–0 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
victory over Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
team Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. In April 2011 it was announced that he would transfer to Standard Liège
Standard Liège
Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège....
on a three-year deal once the transfer window re-opened in the summer.
International career
Mujangi Bia turned down his birthplace DR CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
to instead represent the Belgium national football team. He made his international debut on 29 May 2009 in a Kirin Cup draw against Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
. He has previously also played for Belgium at under-21 level
Belgium national under-21 football team
The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
.