AROUND THE GROUNDS: Around the World

NAME

Eric Djemba Djemba

CLUB

Manchester United

AGE

Born 4th May 1981

HOMETOWN

Douala, Cameroon

POSITION

Midfield

SQUAD NUMBER

19

SIGNED FOR CLUB

Eric joined Manchester United in the summer of 2003.

PREVIOUS CLUBS

FC Nantes (France)

HEIGHT

174cm

DEBUT

Eric first appeared for United in the 2003 Community Shield.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Eric came through the youth team at Nantes and played a total of 42 league games for Nantes first team. He scored one goal and won the French Championship in his first full season. Eric also played in the Nantes Champions League campaign, including the game against Manchester United in February 2002.

He made his debut for Cameroon on January 11, 2002 against Tunisia, and a month later earned an African Cup of Nations winners' medal in Mali. He has played 14 times for the Indomitable Lions, as Cameroon are known, and has earned his place in their first-choice midfield with some strong performances.

So far Eric has mainly appeared as a substitute for United, who are gradually bringing him into their midfield. He has also started a number of games and won his first piece of silverware when they lifted the Community Shield.

Because of his hard-tackling style, it is likely that Eric could replace Roy Keane when he retires. But with England internationals Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes and Brazilian world cup winner Kleberson also fighting for a central midfield spot, he may have to be patient.