Frédéric Nimani

Frédéric K. Nimani N'Galou (born 8 October 1988) is a French footballer who plays for Fribourg as a striker.

Club career

Monaco

Born in Marseille, Nimani's spell at AS Monaco began well when he scored on his debut against Auxerre on 9 September 2006. Despite bursting onto the scene at the Stade Louis II in spectacular fashion, he was loaned to Lorient in 2007. However, after a bust-up with Christian Gourcuff in January 2008, he was recalled and loaned to Ligue 2 outfit Sedan for the rest of the season.

On his return to Monaco, he scored the match winner on the first day of the 2008–2009 season against Paris Saint Germain. Nimani went on to register 7 goals in his first full season at Monaco, developing a good partnership with fellow striker Park Chu-Young and keeping the likes of Serge Gakpé and Juan Pablo Pino out of the first team.

Nimani's success attracted the attention of English Premier League and Spanish La Liga teams, most notably Arsenal and Real Madrid. On Sunday 28 June 2009, it was reported in the press that Alex McLeish and Tony Mowbray were tracking the French U21 international.

Following his spell in England, Nimani joined French side Nantes on loan again for the rest of the season and never made appearance for Nantes. Following AS Monaco relegation to Ligue 2, Nimani scored his first goal in two years against Troyes in a 1–1 draw on 6 August 2011. Nimani made only made 3 appearance this season at AS Monaco after falling out with managers Laurent Banide and then Marco Simone.

Loans moves to Burnley

On 19 January 2010, it was reported that Nimani was set to move to Premier League Club Burnley on loan deal with a further view to buy the player for €4 million. After training with the club he signed on a five-month loan deal on 22 January 2010. However, Nimani made two appearances for Burnley coming on for Chris Eagles on a 65 minutes in a 1-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers and he came on as a replacement for David Nugent in Burnley's 5-2 defeat away at Aston Villa. Following Burnley's relegation back to the Championship, after one season in the Premier League, Burnley did not take up a permanent move for Nimani.

P.A.O.K.

On the 30th of January 2012, Nimani agreed to sign with Greek club P.A.O.K. until the end of the season. He signed with PAOK on loan from Monaco with a clause allowing PAOK to make the move permanent at the end of the 2011/2012 season. He was a personal choice of club's coach László Bölöni. Nimani debut for the club in a 2-0 win over OFI Crete on 12 February 2012. Nimani made his Europa League debut in the second leg against Udinese in a 3-0 loss on 23 February 2012, putting P.A.O.K out of the tournament. On 18 April 2012, Nimani scored his first goal in a 2-0 win over Doxa Drama. After a loan at PAOK, the club did not take up a permanent move for Nimani.

Istres

After his loan at PAOK ended, Nimani return to Monaco and he was barely used in the first team. In January, it announced that Nimani is expected to leave the club before Nimani was released by the club. Just a few days later after his release, Nimani joined Istres on a free transfer, until the end of the 2012-13 season. He made ten appearance for the club.

OFI Crete

At the end of the 2012-13 season, Nimani left the club and move abroad to Greece by joining OFI Crete on a two-year deal.

International career

Nimani made his French Under 21 debut against Slovakia, replacing Loïc Rémy in the 46th minute. He made his first start and scored two goals against Malta Under 21s on 5 September 2008.