Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Joël Kiassumbua

Joël Kiassumbua
Kiassumbua in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-04-06) 6 April 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Luzern, Switzerland
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Luzern
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Luzern II 6 (0)
2011Kriens (loan) 0 (0)
2011–2012 Rapperswil-Jona 5 (0)
2012 Wohlen II 3 (0)
2012–2017 Wohlen 98 (0)
2017–2018 Lugano 14 (0)
2018–2021 Servette 12 (0)
2022–2023 Bellinzona 25 (0)
International career
2006–2007 Switzerland U15 3 (0)
2007–2008 Switzerland U16 5 (0)
2008–2009 Switzerland U17 4 (0)
2009–2010 Switzerland U18 2 (0)
2015– DR Congo 23 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 June 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 July 2022

Joël Kiassumbua (born 6 April 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Born in Switzerland, and a former Swiss youth international, he represents the DR Congo national team.

He was first called up to represent the DR Congo in a friendly game against Iraq in March 2015.[1] In 2017, he was selected in DR Congo's final squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Club career

Kiassumbua began his playing career at FC Luzern. He rose through the youth ranks, eventually featuring for the reserve team during the 2010–11 season. During the second part of the 2010–11 season Kiassumbua would go on loan to third-tier side SC Kriens, however he did not feature for the club during his six months there. Upon returning to Luzern, he left the club, moving on to FC Rapperswil-Jona in August 2011. He made his debut on 28 August 2011 in a 4–4 away draw against FC Lugano II. His stay at the club was short though, remaining there for less than six months and making just five league appearances.[2] In January 2012 he was released from Rapperswil-Jona.

Kiassumbua remained unattached until he signed for FC Wohlen in September 2012. He made his debut for Wohlen in the second half of the season on 6 April 2013 against FC Vaduz in a 2–1 away win. Prior to his first-team debut, Kiassumbua also featured twice for Wohlen's reserve team. He was the first keeper in the 2014–15 season.

In July 2017, Kiassumbua moved to Lugano.[3][4][5] He made his league debut for Lugano on 18 November 2017 in a 2–0 away victory over St. Gallen.[6] On 27 August 2018, Kiassumbua moved to Swiss Challenge League club Servette.[7] He made his league debut for the club on 29 September 2018 in a 1–1 away draw with Rapperswil-Jona.[8]

International career

Kiassumbua was a Switzerland youth international, having competed at various youth levels. In 2009, he was part of the Swiss under-17 team that won the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup beating the host nation Nigeria 1–0 in the final. Although playing prior to the tournament, he remained an unused substitute at the tournament itself, unable to displace first choice Benjamin Siegrist who would go on to win the Golden Glove.[9]

Kiassumbua decided in 2015 to play for the DR Congo national team. On 19 March 2015, he received his first call for the DR Congo team for the match against Iraq.[10]

Honours

References

  1. ^ "L'incroyable histoire du Joel Kiassumbua, nouvel espoir de l'équipe nationale du Congo". Watson (in German). Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  2. ^ "2009 waren sie U17-Weltmeister – heute trennen sie Welten". Blick Online (in German). blick.ch. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Wohlen-Torhüter Joel Kiassumbua wechselt nach Lugano". bzbasel.ch (in German). 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Foot-Transfert : Kiassumba s'engage avec Lugano, club de D1 Suisse, Assombalonga à Middlesbrough". radiookapi.net (in French). 19 July 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Lugano verpflichtet Joel Kiassumbua". 4-4-2.com (in German). Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  6. ^ "St. Gallen vs. Lugano – 18 November 2017 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Servette verpflichtet von Lugano Joël Kiassumbua". Aargauer Zeitung (in German). 27 August 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Rapperswil-Jona vs. Servette – 29 September 2018 – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Awards galore in Abuja". FIFA U-17 World Cup. FIFA.com. 15 November 2009. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Iraq vs DR Congo". African Football. Retrieved 6 April 2018.