'I cost Newcastle £7m but quit at 27 - now I'm back in France's fifth division'
The South of France, Newcastle and Rome, with a Ligue 1 title and Champions League appearances to his name, it is fair to say that Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has enjoyed a storied career.
The 34-year-old initially hung up his boots back in 2020 after a stint with Lyon, while he had not actually taken to the pitch since 2017 - a whopping seven years ago. The four-time French international has now performed a dramatic U-turn on his retirement to sign for French minnows Istres - who play in the fifth tier.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, he said: “The project is interesting and I wanted to get back into the field. I will bring my experience and pass it on to young people.”
To Istres’ credit, they are one of the big hitters of the French lower leagues. They currently sit top of the Championnat National 3 and boast a 17,000 capacity stadium.
It is still some way away from the arenas that Yanga-Mbiwa was used to playing in, though. He kicked off his career with Montpellier in 2007, playing over 200 games and helped the side to the 2011/12 Ligue 1 campaign - the only major domestic title of his career.
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His form quickly earned admiring glances from elsewhere. AC Milan attempted to secure a swoop for his services, while the centre-back also reportedly turned down a switch to Arsenal.
Yanga-Mbiwa would eventually move to the Premier League after completing a £7m switch to Newcastle. He represented part of a French revolution at St James’ Park under Alan Pardew.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa joined a host of French stars at Newcastle (Getty Images)Where will Newcastle finish this season? Share your predictions in the comments below
He joined Mathieu Debuchy, Yoan Gouffran, Massadio Haidara and Moussa Sissoko in signing for the club in January 2013. However, the defender was soon caught off-guard by the difference between the North East of England and the South of France.
"It was difficult because I came from the south of France, where the heat is very good, and it was totally different in Newcastle," he told ChronicleLive in May 2022. "Sometimes, I used to cry. Not only me but a couple of others, too. It was funny. I opened the window and I didn't see the sun for maybe three or four days. It was snowing!
"Also, I speak English now and understand English but, when I was there, when people spoke Geordie to me, it was like Chinese! The first time was strange but when you started to get to know them, you just loved them because they gave you love. They gave you everything.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa celebrates after scoring for Roma (Getty Images)"Even when I went down the street or was shopping, I would see the fans. It was funny to talk with them. When you speak with one Newcastle fan, trust me, in the next two minutes, there will be maybe 50 or 60 behind you. It's because they love football."
Yanga-Mbiwa spent just a year-and-a-half with the Magpies before moving to Roma on loan but he still developed an affection for the club despite the miserable climate. "I still love Newcastle," he added.
"I still watch some Newcastle games. I still support Newcastle. When I see the stadium full today, it makes something inside of me excited. It's a good emotion."
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa last played for Lyon (Getty Images)He helped them to a second-placed finish in the league but they chose not to sign him permanently, leaving Yanga-Mbiwa free to complete a switch back to France and join Lyon. He enjoyed two successful seasons with the Ligue 1 giants, even playing in the Champions League.
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But after that, he completely disappeared from view. His last appearance for Lyon came in 2017 and he was ushered out the back door three years later at the end of his contract.
He had not played any professional football since but is now back in the game with Istres. Let’s just hope he enjoys the weather slightly more than he did in Newcastle.
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