Ilombe Mboyo

Ilombe Mboyo (born 22 April 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Sint-Truiden, as a striker. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and raised in Belgium, Mboyo originally represented DR Congo internationally before switching to represent the Belgium national team.

Club Career

Born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Mboyo played youth football for Anderlecht and Club Brugge, before going to prison when he was 17 for his part in a gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in 2004. Mboyo was a member of one of the most notorious street gangs in Belgium. While in prison, Mboyo was scouted under an initiative started by Queen Paola of Belgium and trained with Charleroi, joining the club after his release, signed by John Collins. He joined Kortrijk on loan in May 2010; the deal was made permanent in September 2010 He moved to Gent in January 2011.

He quickly became an important player for Gent and received the captain's armband. Two months later, however, in a game against Waasland-Beveren, Mboyo missed a carelessly taken penalty and provoked his own supporters after being booed. The club forced him to apologize for his behaviour and youngster Hannes van der Bruggen became the new captain.

In August 2013, West Ham United pulled out of signing Mboyo after fans protested due to his conviction.

On 3 February 2019, Al-Raed has signed Mboyo for one seasons from Kortrijk.

In January 2021, Mboyo joined fellow Belgian First Division A side Sint-Truiden on a permanent deal.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Иломбе Мбойо (russian)