Transfers of Congolese diaspora players in Europe were a highlight at the end of the winter market.
In England, Christ Makosso moves from League One to the Championship: lacking playing time at Luton Town, the Congolese international defender has been loaned to Oxford United until the end of the season.
Having arrived at Luton in January 2025, the Brazzaville native earned his place in the Hatters’ squad, who were then fighting to stay in the Championship. Although Luton narrowly missed their goal, Makosso finished with a record of 13 appearances, 12 as a starter, 959 minutes played, and 1 assist.
In the lower division, Makosso started as a regular (9 starts, 1 substitute appearance, twice on the bench) but lost his place after the 14th matchday: only 1 appearance, 7 matches on the bench, and 8 in the stands.
At Oxford, Makosso will once again be in a relegation battle: the U’s are 23rd and second-to-last, 5 points away from safety, with 16 matches left in the regular season.
For Jérémie Gnali, the change of scenery will be more significant: the left-back is leaving Cyprus and its Mediterranean climate for Azerbaijan.
Despite a rather successful first season (14 matches and 2 assists in the league, 11 matches and 3 assists in European cups), the 23-year-old left-footer is leaving AK Larnaka to join FK Qarabag, who are second in the league.
After the Europa League qualifiers (6 matches, 3 assists) and the Europa Conference League group stage (5 matches), the Franco-Congolese player could now experience the Champions League, as his new club will face Newcastle in the Champions League play-offs.
Gnali is contracted until June 2023 with the former club of Dzon Delarge (2018-2019).
Without a club since the administrative relegation of AC Ajaccio from Ligue 2 to the Régional 2 (7th division), Jesah Ayessa will finish the season in Uzbekistan. The 26-year-old defender will play for Dinamo Samarkand. “We’re aiming for 3rd place,” explains the Paris native, who is training individually before joining his new teammates soon.
The Uzbek league will begin on February 27th.
Jordi Mboula is leaving Europe for Asia and the Chinese league. The Spanish-Congolese winger is joining Henan FC, who are 10th in the Chinese Super League.
The former Barcelona player was struggling at Cultural Leonesa, who were promoted to LaLiga2: 12 appearances, with 5 starts, and 1 assist.
At 26, Mboula has already played for nine professional clubs (Monaco, Cercle Bruges, Huesca, Estoril, Mallorca, Santander, Hellas Verona, Gil Vicente, and Leonesa) in five different countries (France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy).
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