Brice Samba facts for kids
Samba with Lens in 2024
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 25 April 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Linzolo, Republic of the Congo | ||
| Height | 1.87 m | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Rennes | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Pacy Vallée-d'Eure | ||
| 2002–2006 | Madeleine Evreux | ||
| 2006–2011 | Le Havre | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2011–2013 | Le Havre B | 27 | (0) |
| 2011–2013 | Le Havre | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2017 | Marseille B | 9 | (0) |
| 2013–2017 | Marseille | 1 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | → Nancy B (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | → Nancy (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Caen B | 3 | (0) |
| 2017–2019 | Caen | 43 | (0) |
| 2019–2022 | Nottingham Forest | 125 | (0) |
| 2022–2025 | Lens | 85 | (0) |
| 2025– | Rennes | 2 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2023– | France | 3 | (0) |
† Appearances (Goals). |
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Brice Lauriche Samba, born on April 25, 1994, is a professional football player. He is a goalkeeper for the Ligue 1 club Rennes. Brice was born in the Republic of Congo. He also plays for the France national team.
Contents
Brice Samba's Club Journey
Starting at Le Havre
Brice Samba began his football journey at Le Havre in 2006. He played through their youth teams. By 2011, he was ready to join the first team.
Time with Marseille
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On January 4, 2013, Samba moved to Marseille from Le Havre. He signed a contract for four and a half years. His first professional game for Marseille was on January 5, 2014. It was a Coupe de France match against Reims. He played well and kept a clean sheet, meaning the other team didn't score. Marseille won 2–0. In July 2015, Samba went on loan to Nancy for a season.
Playing for Caen
Brice Samba joined Caen on June 30, 2017. He signed a four-year deal after leaving Marseille.
Success at Nottingham Forest
On August 7, 2019, Samba joined EFL Championship team Nottingham Forest. He signed a four-year contract. He was first meant to be a backup goalkeeper. However, he soon became the main goalkeeper. This happened after the starting keeper made some mistakes.
Samba played his first game for Forest on August 13, 2019. It was an EFL Cup win against Fleetwood Town. His first league game was on August 24, 2019. Forest won 2–1 against Fulham. His great performances led to him being named the Championship Fans' Player of the Month in November 2019. In September 2020, Samba was chosen for the PFA Championship Team of the Year. This was for the 2019–20 season.
In the 2022 Championship play-off semi-final, Samba was a hero. He saved three penalties. This helped Forest reach the final against Huddersfield Town. He started in the 2022 EFL Championship play-off final. He had to leave the game in the 90th minute due to an injury. Forest held on to win 1–0. This win meant they returned to the Premier League. It was their first time back in 23 years!
Joining Lens
On July 5, 2022, Samba signed a five-year contract with Ligue 1 club Lens. In his first half-season, he had 9 clean sheets in 19 games. He finished the season with 15 clean sheets in 38 league matches. This was the most in the league! He won the Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year award. He was also named in the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year. He helped Lens finish second in the league. They let in the fewest goals (29). This earned them a spot in the Champions League. It was their first time in 20 years!
Brice Samba's International Career
Brice Samba was born in the Republic of the Congo. He has both Congolese and French nationalities.
In March 2023, he was called up to the France senior national team. This was for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches. He played against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
On June 16, 2023, he played his first game for France. It was a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against Gibraltar. He played the entire game.
Achievements and Awards
Nottingham Forest
- EFL Championship play-offs: 2022 (They won the play-offs to get promoted!)
Individual Awards
- PFA Championship Fans Player of the Month: November 2019 (Fans voted him the best player that month!)
- PFA Team of the Year: 2019–20 EFL Championship (He was one of the best players in his position for the whole season!)
- Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year: 2022–23 (He was named the best goalkeeper in the French top league!)
- UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2022–23 (He was part of the best team of players in the French top league!)
See also
In Spanish: Brice Samba para niños
