Ryan Nyambe

Ryan Nyambe
Personal information
Full name Ryan Simasiku Nyambe[1]
Date of birth (1997-12-04) 4 December 1997 (age 26)[2]
Place of birth Katima Mulilo, Namibia
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Derby County
Number 24
Youth career
2011–2015 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2022 Blackburn Rovers 183 (0)
2022–2023 Wigan Athletic 31 (0)
2023– Derby County 28 (0)
International career‡
2019– Namibia 14 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:07, 19 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:30, 19 September 2023 (UTC)

Ryan Nyambe (born 4 December 1997) is a Namibian professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Derby County.

He previously played for Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic, before joining Derby. At Blackburn and Derby, Nyambe gained promotions to the Championship by finishing in second-place in League One both times in 2018 with Blackburn and 2024 at Derby. Nyambe is also an international footballer for the Namibia national team.[3]

Early life

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.[4][5][6]

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

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.[4]

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.[7] 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.[8] His first league start came two weeks later, on 3 December, in a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town.[9][10] Despite the 2016–17 season being one to forget, as Blackburn were relegated to League One,[11] Nyambe came away from the season with 31 competitive appearances and the club's Young Player of the Year award.[12][13]

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.[14] Reflecting on Blackburn's promotion, Nyambe stated: "I'm very proud and it was great to enjoy the occasion with the fans."[15]

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.[16]

Wigan Athletic

Following the expiry of his contract with Blackburn, Nyambe joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year deal.[17]

Derby County

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.[18] Nyambe made his debut for Derby in a 2–0 win at Carlisle United on 23 September 2023.[19] 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.[20] On 25 December 2023, after making 11 league appearances, Nyambe signed a contract extension with Derby until June 2025.[21] Nyambe would miss several games for Derby in January 2024, during his call up to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations for Namibia.[22] 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.[23] At the end of the season, Derby secured automatic promotion to the Championship with a second-place finish in League One.[24]

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.[25] 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.[26]

International career

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.[27] 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.[28] 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.[22]

Playing style

Nyambe has said that he models his playing style on that of Rio Ferdinand.[29] 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.[30]

Personal life

Nyambe is a Manchester United fan.[29]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Blackburn Rovers 2015–16[31] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
2016–17[9] Championship 25 0 2 0 1 0 — 28 0
2017–18[32] League One 29 0 2 0 1 0 3[a] 0 35 0
2018–19[33] Championship 29 0 1 0 3 0 — 33 0
2019–20[34] Championship 31 0 0 0 2 0 — 33 0
2020–21[35] Championship 38 0 0 0 1 0 — 39 0
2021–22[36] Championship 31 0 0 0 1 0 — 32 0
Total 183 0 5 0 10 0 3 0 201 0
Blackburn Rovers U23 2016–17[9] — — — 3[a] 0 3 0
Wigan Athletic 2022–23[37] Championship 31 0 1 0 1 0 — 33 0
Derby County 2023–24[38] League One 19 0 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 21 0
2024–25[39] Championship 8 0 0 0 2 0 — 10 0
Total 27 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 31 0
Career total 241 0 7 0 13 0 7 0 268 0
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in EFL Trophy

International

As of match played 9 September 2023[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Namibia 2019 6 0
2020 1 0
2021 2 0
2023 5 0
Total 14 0

Honours

Blackburn Rovers

Derby County

References

  1. ^ "Namibian teenager a hit in England... Simasiku comes of age". NewEra.com.na. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Ryan Nyambe". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Ryan Nyambe Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b Sharpe, Rich (27 March 2017). "'It was the first time I'd seen snow' - Blackburn Rovers youngster Ryan Nyambe on his move to the UK". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Nyambe set for AFCON bow". www.rovers.co.uk. Blackburn Rovers F.C. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Namibia call up Blackburn Rovers defender Nyambe". 12 June 2019. Archived from the original on 13 June 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2021 – via uk.reuters.com.
  7. ^ "Darragh Lenihan: Blackburn Rovers midfielder signs new contract". BBC Sport. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Brentford". BBC Sport. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  10. ^ Sharpe, Rich (4 December 2016). "Academy aces, set piece scares and endeavour shown: Blackburn Rovers 1 Huddersfield Town 1 - Talking Points". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  11. ^ Shepka, Phil (7 May 2017). "Brentford 1–3 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Graham nets top award!". Rovers.co.uk. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Nyambe Rovers' Young Player of the Year". New Era. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Blackburn Rovers 2–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Ryan relishing Championship challenge". www.rovers.co.uk. Blackburn Rovers F.C. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Ryan Nyambe: Blackburn Rovers defender signs two-year deal". BBC Sport. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Ryan Nyambe: Wigan Athletic sign Blackburn Rovers defender on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Derby sign international defender Nyambe". Derby County. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Carlisle United 0–2 Derby County". BBC Sport. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Ryan Nyambe claims there is 'more to come' after international break". Derby County News. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Derby County announce perfect Christmas present as key man signs new contract". Derby Telegraph. 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Nyambe to represent Namibia in AFCON tournament". Derby County. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Derby County press notes: Major blow confirmed, striker boost and Bolton 'weak' point made". Derby Telegraph. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side". Derby Telegraph. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Derby defender Nyambe signs three-year contract". BBC Sport. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Derby's Nyambe left 'heartbroken' by injury blow". BBC Sport. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  27. ^ Okeleji, Oluwashina (4 May 2019). "Ryan Nyambe: Blackburn defender 'excited' to play for Namibia". BBC Sport.
  28. ^ "Nyambe makes competitive debut for Namibia in AFCON". RoversChat.com. 23 June 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Nyambe's footballing 'dream come true'". BBC Sport. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  30. ^ "Ryan Nyambe - Defender - First Team - Blackburn Rovers". www.rovers.co.uk. Blackburn Rovers F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  32. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  33. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  36. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  37. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  38. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  39. ^ "Games played by Ryan Nyambe in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Nyambe, Ryan". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  41. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-1-4722-6106-9.