Habibou: Mouhamadou Habib (Habib)

2013-2013 (Leeds Player Details) (Player Details)

Striker

Born: Bria, Central African Republic: 16-04-1987

Debut: Cardiff City (h) (Substitute): 02-02-2013

6’4” 12st 12lb (2013)

Habibou started his career with Paris St Germaine of the French Ligue 1 and progressed through their youth system. He was unable to break into the first team and moved to Belgian First Division club Royal Charleroi Soccer Club in July 2006. After two starts and five games as a substitute without scoring in the 2006-07 season he joined Belgian Division 2 side A.F.C. Tubize on loan in January 2007 scoring three goals in just two starts. He returned to Charleroi on 30th June 2007 and was soon included in the first team. He scored twice from two starts and eight appearances as a substitute, his form led to him earning a loan move to Romanian Liga 1 side Steaua Bucharest in January 2008, where he stayed until 30th June 2008 and scored once in eight substitute appearances. On his return to Charleroi he became an established first team player and in the next two seasons he scored fourteen goals in thirty-two starts and nineteen games from the bench. He also scored three goals in three starts and one game from the bench in the Belgian Cup. In July 2010 he was transferred to Belgian First Division side SV Zulte Waregem. To the end of the 2012-13 season he has scored twenty goals in forty-eight League starts and eleven games as a substitute and three goals in two starts and thee games from the bench in the Belgian Cup. After being linked with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, Habibou joined English side Brighton & Hove Albion on trial in 2011. In December 2011 he also had a trial spell at West Ham United, and scored for them in a friendly with Brentford, however he stayed at SV Zulte Waregem. There was also interest from Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United and he trained with both clubs prior to joining Leeds on loan on 31st January 2013. The loan was initially agree to be for six months with an option to make the move permanent. Habibou made his debut as a seventy-third minute substitute in Leeds' 1–0 defeat against Cardiff City on 2nd February 2013. He made his full debut in the "Yorkshire Derby" against Huddersfield Town but he was withdrawn for Ryan Hall after fifty-nine minutes. It proved to be his only start and he spent all his time on the bench only coming on with one minute to go at Middlesbrough on 12th February 2013 and in the final minute at Crystal Palace on 9th March 2013, which proved to be his last appearance. On 3rd May 2013, Leeds announced that they wouldn't be making Habibou's loan deal permanent. On the International front, Habibou was called up to the Central African Republic squad for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso on 14 October 2012.