Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thu Aug 04, 2016 2:38 pm
Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thursday 4th August 2016
Some interesting facts may help you decide below.
From what I can see he has plenty of drive and natural ability. Who knows he could just be that 20 goal a season striker we need to challenge for the top! Its early days yet and time will tell but what do you think?
THE STORY SO FAR.............
Gounongbe was born in Brussels to a Beninese father and a Belgian mother. He played tennis as a teenager and regarded the sport as his number one discipline.
He later graduated from EPHEC University College with a bachelors degree in international business.
At the age of 16, he took up football after visiting a training session with a friend.training with local amateur sides in Auderghem before joining Belgian Fourth Division side Léopold. However, he did not become a full professional until the relatively late age of 23.
He joined Woluwe-Zaventem in 2008 and attracted attention after scoring 35 goals in 71 matches for the club during a four year spell, including 19 during the 2011–12 season in the Belgian Third Division B.
His form attracted interest from several clubs and he eventually joined Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem on a two-year deal. The club's head scout, Toon Mertens described Gounongbe as "a powerful forward with flair to score. He has already scored 16 goals this season he is lively and quick for his size".
He was named as a substitute on four occasions for the side but never made a first team appearance and eventually joined RWDM Brussels on loan in August 2012.
He scored 9 goals in 28 appearances for the club but was released by Zulte Waregem on his return to the club at the end of the season, signing a permanent one-year deal with RWDM Brussels. He scored 11 times for the club during the 2013–14 season, despite being restricted to just 18 appearances due to a fibula injury.
With the club experiencing financial difficulties, Gounongbe left the club at the end of the season following the end of his contract, joining newly promoted Belgian Pro League side Westerlo. He scored his first goal in the Pro League on 2 August 2014 during a 3–2 victory over Charleroi.
He is already beginning to make his mark in international football scoring two goals for Benin. He was one of players who were called up for the friendly match against Nigeria on 29 May and the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Equatorial Guinea on 5 June 2016.
He has some healthy competition! He remains behind Stephane Sessegon and Rudy Gestede in the pecking order but is increasingly becoming a bigger part of their squad.
With his new dynamic coaching team and staff can this mans remarkable drive push him to the top?
Cardiff City
On 1 July 2016, he joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Westerlo, signing a two-year deal.
Frédéric scored in his first involvement with the Bluebirds – heading home from a Peter Whittingham corner in a pre-season friendly against Shrewsbury Town. He will wear the Bluebirds' number nine shirt for the 2016/17 campaign.
From Whittingham’s corner on the left-hand side it’s new man Frederic Gounongbe who gets his name on the scoreboard.
His header is well placed, sneaking inside the far post to double Cardiff’s advantage. (4.0 win)
Thursday 4th August 2016
Some interesting facts may help you decide below.
From what I can see he has plenty of drive and natural ability. Who knows he could just be that 20 goal a season striker we need to challenge for the top! Its early days yet and time will tell but what do you think?
THE STORY SO FAR.............
Gounongbe was born in Brussels to a Beninese father and a Belgian mother. He played tennis as a teenager and regarded the sport as his number one discipline.
He later graduated from EPHEC University College with a bachelors degree in international business.
At the age of 16, he took up football after visiting a training session with a friend.training with local amateur sides in Auderghem before joining Belgian Fourth Division side Léopold. However, he did not become a full professional until the relatively late age of 23.
He joined Woluwe-Zaventem in 2008 and attracted attention after scoring 35 goals in 71 matches for the club during a four year spell, including 19 during the 2011–12 season in the Belgian Third Division B.
His form attracted interest from several clubs and he eventually joined Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem on a two-year deal. The club's head scout, Toon Mertens described Gounongbe as "a powerful forward with flair to score. He has already scored 16 goals this season he is lively and quick for his size".
He was named as a substitute on four occasions for the side but never made a first team appearance and eventually joined RWDM Brussels on loan in August 2012.
He scored 9 goals in 28 appearances for the club but was released by Zulte Waregem on his return to the club at the end of the season, signing a permanent one-year deal with RWDM Brussels. He scored 11 times for the club during the 2013–14 season, despite being restricted to just 18 appearances due to a fibula injury.
With the club experiencing financial difficulties, Gounongbe left the club at the end of the season following the end of his contract, joining newly promoted Belgian Pro League side Westerlo. He scored his first goal in the Pro League on 2 August 2014 during a 3–2 victory over Charleroi.
He is already beginning to make his mark in international football scoring two goals for Benin. He was one of players who were called up for the friendly match against Nigeria on 29 May and the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Equatorial Guinea on 5 June 2016.
He has some healthy competition! He remains behind Stephane Sessegon and Rudy Gestede in the pecking order but is increasingly becoming a bigger part of their squad.
With his new dynamic coaching team and staff can this mans remarkable drive push him to the top?
Cardiff City
On 1 July 2016, he joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Westerlo, signing a two-year deal.
Frédéric scored in his first involvement with the Bluebirds – heading home from a Peter Whittingham corner in a pre-season friendly against Shrewsbury Town. He will wear the Bluebirds' number nine shirt for the 2016/17 campaign.
From Whittingham’s corner on the left-hand side it’s new man Frederic Gounongbe who gets his name on the scoreboard.
His header is well placed, sneaking inside the far post to double Cardiff’s advantage. (4.0 win)
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Re: Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thu Aug 04, 2016 2:53 pm
Bruno looks injured in that picture - for a change!
The fact is that we just don't know how Fred will turn out. He could be another Saadi or he could score 20 goals in a season.
It's always difficult for players from abroad who have to get used to a new city, a new way of life and new team-mates and maybe a new system of playing.
We need to give the lad a chance. Rudy didn't exactly set the world alight when he arrived but will undoubtedly be a real handful in our division.
Good luck to him.
The fact is that we just don't know how Fred will turn out. He could be another Saadi or he could score 20 goals in a season.
It's always difficult for players from abroad who have to get used to a new city, a new way of life and new team-mates and maybe a new system of playing.
We need to give the lad a chance. Rudy didn't exactly set the world alight when he arrived but will undoubtedly be a real handful in our division.
Good luck to him.
Re: Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thu Aug 04, 2016 3:58 pm
I'd much rather be relying on a Fraizer Campbell or a Steven Fletcher - a player familiar with the division who has proven that they have what it takes at this level to make a major contribution to a promotion charge.
Money talks however and we will just have to hope that Fred is a gem who can come good for us this season.
Fingers crossed.
Money talks however and we will just have to hope that Fred is a gem who can come good for us this season.
Fingers crossed.
Re: Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thu Aug 04, 2016 4:34 pm
Hopefully It would be a masterstroke if he scores 15 -20 goals next season.
Re: Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:08 pm
Let's hope so,for a free transfer on low wages I'm sure he's not the biggest gamble really and if he can get double figures he will have done well
Re: Is Frederic Gounongbe our key to the promised land???
Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:15 pm
Reza wrote:Let's hope so,for a free transfer on low wages I'm sure he's not the biggest gamble really and if he can get double figures he will have done well
I 2nd that