Axel NGANDO

Axel Ngando began his footballing journey with Paris Saint Germain, who picked him up in the 9-11 age group, despite interest from Stade Rennais. He still ended up in Rennes in 2007 because Paris’ internal politics meant that youngsters hardly go to play senior football. Ngando’s choice led to him being voted Best Academy Player in 2011, and he became a Youth international. In April 2012, this versatile attacking midfielder signed his first professional contract with Rennes, pushing away the interest from Juventus, amongst others. Nephew of the former Cameroon international Patrick Mboma, Ngando was launched in the First Team squad definitively at the start of the 2012/2013 season. On his first appearance as a professional in February 2013, he scored just 19 seconds after coming on as a substitute to equalise in the dying seconds at Lorient in a 2-2 draw. In July 2013, he won the U20 World Cup in Turkey with France, and was loaned out to Auxerre upon his return in Ligue 2. Back in Rennes, he was left without game-time for the next six months, and was then loaned out again to a Ligue 2 – this time to Angers. When he returned from this loan spell, he was still surplus to requirements at Rennes, and was finally transferred to SC Bastia on 31st August 2015.