Landry Nguemo dies aged 38 in tragic car accident as tributes paid to ex-Celtic star
Tributes are being paid to former Celtic midfielder Landry Nguemo, who has died aged 38 after being involved in a tragic car accident in Cameroon.
Nguemo, a defensive midfielder, spent the 2009-10 season on loan at Celtic from French club Nancy and played under managers Tony Mowbray and Neil Lennon. Wearing the No.6 shirt, the 42-time Cameroon international made a total of 43 appearances.
After Celtic were reportedly unable to agree a fee with Nancy to sign him permanently, Nguemo went back to his parent club after the Scottish campaign came to an end. He then spent one more year with Nancy before signing for Ligue 1 rivals Bordeaux.
Following a three-year stint in the south of France, Nguemo went on to play for Saint-Etienne and two clubs in Turkey, Akhisar Belediyespor and Kayserispor, before ending his career with Norwegian outfit Kongsvinger in 2019. He passed away on Thursday, as Cameroonian football chiefs released a statement.
"The Cameroonian Football Federation has just learned the tragic news of the passing of former Indomitable Lion Landry Nguemo in a traffic accident. Nguemo, who was a key player for the Cameroonian national team from 2006 to 2014 and a former member of Girondins de Bordeaux, will be remembered for his contributions to football.
"FECAFOOT extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire football community."
Celtic added in a statement of their own via their website: "Everyone at Celtic Football Club is shocked and saddened at the news of Landry N'Guemo's passing at the young age of 38. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Landry's family and friends at this sad time."
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JUNE 23: Landry N'Guemo of Cameroon controls the ball against Paulinho of Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Cameroon and Brazil at Estadio Nacional on June 23, 2014 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Nguemo won the French League Cup with Nancy in 2006, having joined the club's academy five years prior. He'd been spotted by scouts aged 15 and subsequently moved to France before playing 148 times for their first-team.
The bustling midfielder was also part of the Cameroon squad who finished as runners-up in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, losing 1-0 to Egypt in the final. Nguemo represented the Indomitable Lions at two World Cups - 2010 and 2014.
In May 2020, Nguemo began his coaching career as manager of French minnows COS Villers-les-Nancy. At the time of his death, he was working as a coach Nancy's youth academy.
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