Biography
Who is Mbaye Niang?
Early life and career beginnings
Born in Meulan-en-Yvelines, Mbaye Niang began his football path at the age of seven with the local side Basse-Seine Les Mureaux. He spent two years there before moving to the amateur club Poissy. Scouts Laurent Glaize and David Lasry eventually spotted him for Caen. During his recruitment, some discussions occurred regarding his age, as some speculated he might be older than his documented birth date due to his height, though he continued to be pursued by several professional French clubs.
He joined the Caen youth academy at age 13 after a successful trial where he scored a hat-trick. By the age of 15, he played with the under-19 squad. On April 24, 2011, he made his senior debut against Toulouse at 16 years and 114 days old, becoming the youngest player to appear for the club. He scored his first professional goal against Lens in May 2011. Before the 2011-12 season, his professional contract faced legal challenges when his father reportedly disagreed with the signing, though Mbaye remained with the team.
Playing for AC Milan
In August 2012, Mbaye signed a three-year contract with Italian club Milan. He made his debut in the Coppa Italia against Reggina in December 2012, where he scored a goal. This achievement made him the second-youngest goal scorer in the history of the club at 17 years and 350 days. On his 18th birthday, he extended his contract with Milan until 2017.
He scored his first Serie A brace for Milan in a 4-1 win against Sampdoria in November 2015. In January 2016, Milan reportedly rejected a 16 million euro bid for him from Leicester City. He scored during the Derby della Madonnina against Internazionale in January 2016. However, he was involved in a car accident in March 2016, which sidelined him for two months. He returned to the pitch for the Coppa Italia final in May 2016.
Loans and professional transfers
Mbaye spent several periods on loan at different clubs throughout his career. He joined Montpellier in January 2014, making 19 appearances and scoring four goals. In 2015, he went on loan to Genoa, where he netted five goals in 14 matches. He later moved to the English Premier League team Watford in January 2017. Later that year, he signed with Torino on a loan deal that included an obligation to buy.
In 2018, he joined Rennes on a season-long loan. He helped Rennes win the Coupe de France in 2019 by scoring a penalty against Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Rennes later signed him to a permanent contract for a reported fee of 15 million euros. During the 2019-20 season, he scored against Angers and continued to contribute to the Rennes attacking line.
International play and personal facts
He played for the French national under-16 and under-17 teams early in his career. In October 2017, he opted to represent Senegal at the international level. Standing 184 centimeters tall, he has navigated a career across France, Italy, and England. Throughout his professional path, he has remained a forward who adapts to various tactical setups across different European leagues.
Birthday and age
Mbaye Niang was born on December 19, 1994, which makes Mbaye 31 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Mbaye shares the date with 36 other famous people.
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