PLAYER PROFILE

Njitap Geremi

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'11

Weight: 12st 3lbs

Date of Birth: 1978-12-20 Bafoussan, Cameroon

Njitap Geremi

Geremi first came to the Barclaycard Premiership in 2002, when he joined Middlesborough on a year's loan from Real Madrid.

The experienced Cameroon international had earlier been set for a move to Chelsea, but that fell apart when the Londoners found that they could not afford to sign him.

Capped more than 50 times by his country, Geremi played in all three of Cameroon’s World Cup games, having scored a wonderful free-kick in a 2-2 friendly draw with England shortly before the tournament. Last season he also helped Cameroon win the African Nations Cup, beating Senegal in the final, and Real Madrid lift the Champions League trophy.

He was a revelation at Middlesbrough, scoring seven goals, almost all of them spectacular. There was no doubt that Steve McClaren wanted to take up the option of signing him on a permanent basis, but Madrid's insistence on getting their intitial valuation priced them out of the market.

After an impressive Confederations Cup campaign with Cameroon, he was linked with moves to Manchester United and even staying at Real Madrid, although their signing of David Beckham made that unlikely. However, the arrival of Roman Abramovich at Chelsea changed everything, and they were suddenly able to afford him.

In July 2003, they agreed a fee for Geremi with Madrid, and completed the deal on the 16th July, and he went on to enjoy a successful first season in London. He featured heavily as the Blues looked to win some silverware, although he only managed to score once.

He represented Cameroon at the 2004 African Nations Cup as they made it as far as the quarter-finals - knocked out at the hands of the previous beaten finalists, Nigeria.

The 2004/05 season, however, was a let-down for the Cameroon midfielder. After playing only 20 games and scoring an own goal in his team's final league game away to Newcastle United, he expressed a desire to find first-team football elsewhere, but found himself staying at the Bridge throughout the following season, where he was again a bit-part player.

More appearances came in 2006/07, but this was more because of the team's injuries than anything else.

In order to gain more first team football, Geremi moved from Chelsea to Newcastle United in July 2007.