Mouyokolo, Steven

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Personal

Fullname: Steven Stefan Fabrice Mouyokolo
aka: Steven Mouyokolo
Born: 24 January 1987
Birthplace: Melun, France
Signed: 17 July 2013
Left: 1 July 2014 (free)
Position: Defender, Centre-back
Debut: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic, SP, 17 Aug, 2013
Squad No.: 22
Internationals: none

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Mouyokolo arrived with what can be said to be a long career with an incredibly short amount of first team experience. Never able to convince, he struggled to make himself a first team choice at his old clubs and was a free agent before coming to Celtic.

Having only played eight first team games in the past three seasons, he was another underwhelming signing. Injuries had curtailed his career, and despite the kind words from former coaches, he was always moved on. He was brought in as an economical squad addition to Celtic, but being given just a one year contract reflected the coaches’ concerns.

Starting at Celtic, he won his debut in a 2-0 victory over Aberdeen at home, and conceded a foul from the opening minutes of his debut.

He was then thrown into the first team defence in an untried centre pairing with Virgil van Dijk against Shakhtar Karagandy in the European Cup. It was a vital match but Celtic lost 2-0. It was a big set-back, with plenty of criticism coming his way and Virgil van Dijk’s. He shouldn’t have been thrown into this important game especially as he was a new player and it was in an untested pairing.

Then soon enough his injury jinx struck again, suffering a ruptured Achilles heel during a training session, so already he was ruled out for a long spell having only just arrived. He was to be out for practically the entire season.

The writing was on the wall. It was all over for him before it had even really begun. Whilst Virgil van Dijk went from strength to strength, Mouyokolo headed in the opposite direction.

He was given a token sub appearance v Dundee Utd on his return on 5 April 2014, coming on in the 91st minute with a minute to go. After all he had been through during the season, he much appreciated it:

“People don’t realise that football is your life. It’s really great to be out there again and feel the atmosphere.”

On Neil Lennon’s departure at the end of the 2013/14 season, Mouyokolo left too, although he likely would have been released in any case:

“I was great at the club, I got along great with everyone. I have finished the season after my injury. But the coach who brought me (Neil Lennon) is gone. I want a new challenge.”

We wished him the best, but from records his footballing career at the professional level was now over due to injuries and lack of gametime.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES
(subs)
LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
2013-14 1 (1) 0 0 1 2 (1)
Goals 0 0 0 0 0

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

Pictures

KDS