Lilian Thuram

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ngotty started his career at Olympique Lyonnais, playing from the 1988–89 season to the close of the 1994–95 season, making 237 league appearances and scoring 13 goals. At Paris Saint-Germain, he scored the winning goal in the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final against Rapid Wien, giving PSG their only triumph in that tournament. He was also in the squad that reached the final again the next year, losing 1–0 to Barcelona. At AC Milan, he was part of the team that won the Serie A title in 1999, making 25 league appearances. He was sent on loan to Venezia in 1999, playing 16 matches. After a short spell at Marseille, where he played 32 games in one season, he moved to Bolton Wanderers. He originally rejected a loan offer but later agreed, making his debut against Blackburn Rovers in a 1–1 draw on 19 September 2001. His only goal that season came in a 3–1 defeat at Everton. The move became permanent in January 2002. He was voted supporters' player of the year for the 2005 season but was released at the end of his contract in May 2006 as manager Sam Allardyce wanted to reduce the average age of the squad.

In Their Own Story

Ngotty signed for Birmingham City on a one-year deal on 6 July 2006. The team achieved promotion to the Premier League that season, finishing as runners-up. He scored two goals during his stay, against QPR in the league and Newcastle in the FA Cup. He decided not to take up the option of another year. On 4 June 2007, he moved to Leicester City on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. Chairman Milan Mandarić revealed on 27 September that Ngotty was signed by him, not then-manager Martin Allen. Ngotty was named in the Championship Team of the Week after a 1–1 draw against Stoke City on 29 September. He played his 500th competitive game in an M69 Derby on 12 January 2008, which Leicester won 2–0. He played 38 league games as Leicester were relegated from the Championship. After Nigel Pearson replaced Ian Holloway, Ngotty played in only one pre-season game. On 25 September 2008, he joined Hereford United on loan for a month, making his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Leeds United. The loan was extended for another month on 25 October but was cut short after he suffered a serious injury against Peterborough United, leaving the field after nine minutes with a suspected ruptured Achilles. He was released on 29 May 2009. In January 2011, he joined French 6th-tier side l'AS Lattes.

Reader's Guide

Bruno Ngotty played as a centre-back throughout his career. At Lyon, he made 237 league appearances and scored 13 goals from the 1988–89 season to the close of the 1994–95 season. At Paris Saint-Germain, he scored the winning goal in the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final. At AC Milan, he made 25 league appearances in the 1998–99 Serie A title-winning season. He was sent on loan to Venezia in 1999, playing 16 matches. At Marseille, he played 32 games during his only season. At Bolton Wanderers, he made his debut on 19 September 2001 against Blackburn Rovers, scoring his only goal that season in a 3–1 defeat at Everton. He was voted supporters' player of the year for the 2005 season. At Birmingham City, he scored two goals, against QPR and Newcastle. At Leicester City, he played 38 league games and his 500th competitive game on 12 January 2008. At Hereford United, he made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Leeds United but suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles against Peterborough United. He came out of retirement to join l'AS Lattes in 2011.

Did You Know?

• Bruno Ngotty scored the winning goal in the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final for Paris Saint-Germain against Rapid Wien.
• He was part of the AC Milan team that won the Serie A title in 1999, making 25 league appearances.
• Ngotty played his 500th competitive game in an M69 Derby on 12 January 2008, which Leicester City won 2–0.
• He came out of retirement in 2011 to join French 6th-tier side l'AS Lattes.
• Ngotty earned six caps for France, making his debut on 17 August 1994 against the Czech Republic.