Dominique Malonga

Dominique Sossorobla Malonga (born 8 January 1989) is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a striker for Icelandic club Þór Akureyri.[1]

Dominique Malonga
Malonga with Vicenza in 2012
Personal information
Full name Dominique Sossorobla Malonga
Date of birth (1989-01-08) 8 January 1989
Place of birth Châtenay-Malabry, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Þór Akureyri
Number 19
Youth career
0000–2002 Montrouge FC 92
2002–2004 Tours
2004–2007 Monaco
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007 Monaco II 16 (8)
2007–2009 Torino 9 (1)
2008–2009 → Foggia (loan) 10 (1)
2009–2014 Cesena 57 (10)
2012–2013 → Vicenza (loan) 38 (10)
2013–2014 → Murcia (loan) 28 (5)
2014–2016 Hibernian 43 (17)
2016–2017 Pro Vercelli 16 (3)
2017 Elche 9 (1)
2017–2018 Servette 6 (0)
2018 Chania 6 (1)
2019 Cavalry FC 24 (11)
2020 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 7 (3)
2021 KPV 7 (0)
2021– Þór Akureyri 2 (0)
International career‡
2007–2008 France U19 2 (2)
2014– Congo 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:18, 8 September 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:30, 31 January 2017 (UTC)

Malonga has previously played for Italian sides Torino, Foggia, Cesena, Vicenza and Pro Vercelli, as well as Murcia and Elche in Spain, Hibernian in Scotland, Servette in Switzerland, Chania in Greece, Cavalry in Canada and Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bulgaria.[2]

Early life

Born in Châtenay-Malabry, France, Malonga grew up in the suburbs of Paris to Congolese parents.[3] Malonga grew up supporting Monaco, and later ended up joining the club's youth team.[4] Malonga later described his time at Monaco, quoting: "It is beautiful and Monte Carlo is beautiful and we were very privileged, because in the stadium we had a school and everything we needed. It was a great, great, great centre. They don’t get many people going to their games, though. The money is good but the fans are not as good. It is better to play here.".[4]

Club career

Torino

In 2007, after three years at Monaco, Malonga joined Torino,[5] where he would stay until 2011.[6] Malonga stated that he felt moving to Italy gave him confidence and that he wasn't scared.[7] He made his Serie A debut on 23 September 2007, against A.C. Siena. However, his time at Torino was plagued with injuries. He spent a period on loan at Foggia while at Torino.[8]

Cesena

After a successful loan with the Serie B champions, he signed for Cesena in a co-ownership deal for €750,000.[9][10] In June 2011 Cesena acquired Malonga outright for another €1.4 million, making him cost €2.15 million. (i.e. they paid Torino an additional €650,000 on top of the €750,000 already booked in the balance sheets for co-ownership)[10] He also signed a new 3+1 year contract.[10] However the club relegated at the end of 2011–12 Serie A, which saw Malonga sent out on loan to other clubs for the rest of his contract.[11]

On 31 August 2012, Malonga joined Serie B side Vicenza on a season-long loan.[12] Malonga made his debut soon after against Cesena and scored in a 3–1 win.[13] Malonga would then add three more goal in his next three games against Juve Stabia, Hellas Verona and Brescia Calcio. At the end of the season, Malonga had scored a total of 10 goals at Vicenza.

On 2 September 2013, he joined Spanish Segunda División side Real Murcia on a season-long loan.[14] After making the move to Spain, Malonga stated that his aim for the season was to score more than the ten goals he had produced at Vicenza.[15] Malonga made his debut for the club on 21 September 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minutes, in a draw against SD Eibar. It took until 15 December 2013 for Malonga to score his first goal for the club, in a 3–1 win over Barcelona B.[16] Malonga would score four further goals that season, thus failing to achieve his aim of scoring ten in the season.

Malonga was released by Cesena on 24 July 2014 ahead of the 2014–15 season.[17]

Hibernian

On 5 September 2014, it was announced that Malonga had joined Hibernian on a two-year contract.[18] He scored on his debut as Hibernian beat Cowdenbeath 3–2 on 13 September 2014.[19] On 26 October 2014, Malonga scored the opening goal in the Edinburgh Derby against Hearts, but a late equaliser meant Hibernian had to settle for a 1–1 draw.[20] On 22 November 2014, he scored a hat-trick as Hibernian won 6–3 away at Dumbarton.[21] His contract was due to finish in the summer of 2016 but left the club on 27 January 2016.[22] Malonga's last goal for Hibernian was scored in his penultimate appearance for the club, during a Scottish Cup Fourth Round match win against Raith Rovers.[23] Hibernian would go on to win the tournament for the first time in 114 years.

Pro Vercelli

Malonga subsequently returned to Italy, signing for Serie B side Pro Vercelli for an undisclosed fee from Hibernian.[24]

Elche

Malonga left Pro Vercelli in January 2017 by mutual consent and subsequently joined Segunda División side Elche.[25][26]

Servette

On 28 August 2017, Malonga signed with Swiss Challenge League side Servette.[27] He made six substitute appearances that season in the league and one substitute appearance in the Swiss Cup, but failed to make an appearance in the second half of the season.[28]

Chania

After leaving Servette in the summer, Malonga went on trial with Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side Club Africain in August 2018.[29]

On 12 September 2018, Malonga signed with Greek Football League side Chania Kissamikos.[30] On 27 October 2018, he made his debut as a 59th-minute substitute against Sparta and scored a penalty.[28][31] He would make five more league appearances that season, including two starts.[28]

Cavalry FC

On 27 March 2019, Malonga signed with Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC.[32] Malonga was a key player in Cavalry's inaugural season, scoring thirteen goals in all competitions, and being nominated for CPL Player of the Year, as Cavalry finished the season as runners up.[33] Malonga would not be listed on Cavalry's training camp roster for the 2020 season, ending his time with the club after one season.[34]

Lokomotiv Plovdiv

On 6 March 2020, Malonga signed a contract with Bulgarian First League club Lokomotiv Plovdiv.[35] On 1 July 2020, he came on as a substitute during the Bulgarian Cup final and scored one of the penalties in the shootout to help Lokomotiv Plovdiv defeat CSKA Sofia and lift the trophy.[36] Despite performing well during his few appearances for the "railwaymen", Malonga left the club in mid July 2020, in part due to physical fitness issues and not being considered a good fit for the style of football promoted by the manager Bruno Akrapović.[37]

KPV and Þór Akureyri

On 26 February 2021, Malongo joined Finnish club Kokkolan Palloveikot, also known as KPV.[38] He made seven appearances for the club, before he moved to Icelandic club Þór Akureyri in the beginning of July 2021.[39]

International career

On 30 August 2012, he received a call-up to the Congo national team.[40] Malonga also previously represented France U19.[3][41]

Malonga was again selected by the Congo in November 2014.[42] He made his first full international appearance in 1–0 win for Congo against Sudan.[43] The victory for Congo secured their qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.[43] Malonga was named as a substitute for all four of Congo's matches in the Cup of Nations in January 2015, coming on during the second half in three of them, including the quarter-final defeat at the hands of neighbours D.R. Congo.[44]

Career statistics

Club
As of 29 July 2020.[8]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Other[lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Torino 2007–08 Serie A 9100——0091
2008–09 0000——0000
Total 9100——0091
Foggia (loan) 2008–09 Lega Pro Prima Divisione 10100——00101
Cesena 2009–10 Serie B 22800——00228
2010–11 Serie A 22210——00232
2011–12 13010——00140
2012–13 Serie B 0000——0000
2013–14 0000——0000
Total 571020——005910
Vicenza (loan) 2012–13 Serie B 381000——003810
Murcia (loan) 2013–14 Segunda División 28510——00295
Hibernian 2014–15 Scottish Championship 24133023—203116
2015–16 1941121—10236
Total 43174144—305422
Pro Vercelli 2015–16 Serie B 163———00163
2016–17 0000——0000
Total 16300——00163
Elche 2016–17 Segunda División 91———0091
Servette 2017–18 Swiss Challenge League 6010——0070
Chania 2018–19 Greek Football League 6120——0081
Cavalry FC 2019 Canadian Premier League 241152——203113
Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2019–20 Bulgarian First League 7330——00103
Career total 2536318344—5028070
  1. Includes appearances in the Coppa Italia, Copa del Rey, Scottish Cup and Canadian Championship.
  2. Includes appearances in the Scottish League Cup.
  3. Includes appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs, Scottish Challenge Cup and Canadian Premier League Finals.

International
As of 31 January 2017.[8]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Congo 201410
201540
201620
201700
Total70

Honours

Club

Calvary FC

Lokomotiv Plovdiv

References
  1. "Dominique Malonga - servettefc.ch | SFC". 28 August 2017.
  2. "SQUAD NUMBERS CONFIRMED". www.hibernianfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015.
  3. "French connection was a class apart for Hibernian import Dominique Malonga". Herald Scotland. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  4. "Dominique Malonga is happy at Hibs". The Scotsman. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  5. "Asta per Bellucci Torino e Lazio rivali della Samp" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  6. "DEBUTTO MALONGA Scienza l' ex tecnico garantisce per lui "Un gioiellino che non ha paura"" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  7. "Entretien avec Dominique Malonga : " Un départ à l'étranger ne m'a jamais effrayé "" (in Italian). Foot Mercato. 21 December 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  8. "Dominique Malonga profile". Soccerway. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  9. "Acquistate le comproprietà di Malonga e Parolo". AC Cesena (in Italian). 23 June 2010. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  10. AC Cesena Report and Accounts on 30 June 2011 (in Italian)
  11. "Malonga al Cesena: risolta comproprietà col Toro" (in Italian). Tutto Sport. 24 June 2011. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  12. "Dominique Malonga in biancorosso". Vicenza Calcio Website. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. "Vicenza-Cesena 3-1: il tabellino". Vicenza Calcio Website. 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  14. "Malonga prêté à Murcie". L'Equipe Official Website. 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. "Malonga: "Mi objetivo es marcar más de 10 goles"" (in Spanish). Marca.com. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  16. "Los granas acaban con su mala racha con una remontada final" (in Spanish). Marca.com. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  17. "Rescissione consensuale Malonga" (in Italian). AC Cesena. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. "Striker Malonga joins". Hibernian. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  19. "HIBERNIAN 3 COWDENBEATH 2". Hibernian F.C. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  20. "Hearts rescued their unbeaten league record with a late Alim Ozturk strike that secured a draw against Hibernian". bbc.co.uk/sport/. BBC Sport. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  21. "DUMBARTON 3 HIBERNIAN 6". Hibernian F.C. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  22. "Malonga departs Hibernian". Hibernian F.C. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  23. "Raith Rovers 0- 2 Hibernian". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  24. "Ufficiale: L'attaccante Dominique Malonga arriva a Vercelli" [Official: Attacker Dominique Malonga arrives in Vercelli] (in Italian). FC Pro Vercelli. 27 January 2016. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  25. "Calciomercato Pro Vercelli, rescisso il contratto di Malonga" [FOOTBALL League Pro Vercelli, terminated the contract Malonga] (in Italian). Corriere dello Sport. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  26. "El Elche C.F. incorpora a Malonga" [The Elche CF incorporates Malonga] (in Spanish). Elche CF. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  27. "Dominique Malonga pour porter Servette: c'est le pari de Kodro". Tribune de Genève (in French). 28 August 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  28. "Dominique Malonga". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  29. "Un attaquant Congolais arrive pour un test au CA" (in French). Mosaique FM. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  30. "Στη ΠΑΕ Α.Ο.Χανιά/Κισσαμικός ο Dominique Malonga" (in Greek). Parapolitika Kritis. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  31. "Sparta vs. Kissamikos - 27 October 2018". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  32. "International Striker Dominique Malonga (FRA) signs on with Cavalry FC". Cavalry FC. 27 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  33. "Dominique Malonga departs Cavalry for Bulgarian club". Canadian Premier League. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  34. "Cavalry FC Official Pre-Season Training has begun". Cavalry FC. 2 March 2020.
  35. "Локомотив подписа договор с Доминик Малонга". lokomotivpd.com (in Bulgarian). 6 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  36. Dimitrov, Ivaylo (1 July 2020). "Локомотив (Пд) спечели Купата на България след победа с дузпи над ЦСКА" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  37. "Локо Пловдив гласи раздяла с героя от "Герена"". gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  38. SOPIMUSUUTISIA: Tervetuloa Dominique Malonga!, kpvedustus.fi, 26 February 2021
  39. Fyrrum framherji í Serie A í Þór (Staðfest), fotbolti.net, 3 July 2021
  40. "Malonga convocato dalla nazionale del Congo". Romagna NOI. 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. "Torino, Malonga convocato nella nazionale francese Under 19". Tutto Mercato Web. 22 November 2007. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. "Hibernian: Dominique Malonga relishing international call-up". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  43. "Congo duty could see Malonga miss five Hibs games". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  44. "Congo 2 DR Congo 4". BBC. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
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