26 Facts About Fabrice Muamba

Fabrice Ndala Muamba was born on 6 April 1988 and is a Congolese-born English former professional footballer who played for Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers as a central midfielder.

Fabrice Muamba began his career in 2002, joining Arsenal's youth academy.

Fabrice Muamba made his debut for Arsenal in the League Cup, but played only one other professional match for the club.

Fabrice Muamba stayed with Birmingham City for one additional year, and left after making more than 70 appearances and making his England under-21 debut while with the team.

In March 2012, Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur, from which he recovered despite his heart having stopped for 78 minutes.

Fabrice Muamba later completed a degree in sports journalism before making a return to football as a youth coach.

Fabrice Muamba's father fled the country in 1994 because of his political views and arrived in the United Kingdom seeking asylum.

Fabrice Muamba was associated with Arsenal's youth system as a schoolboy from 2002, joining their Academy as a first-year scholar in August 2004.

Fabrice Muamba signed his first professional contract in October 2005 and made his first team debut on 25 October in a League Cup tie against Sunderland, in front of a 47,000 crowd at the Stadium of Light.

Fabrice Muamba made 37 appearances as Birmingham were relegated from the Premier League after one season back in the top tier.

Fabrice Muamba scored his first goal for the club against Wigan Athletic on 13 March 2010.

On 17 March 2012, Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the first half of an FA Cup quarter-final match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Bolton's club doctor later confirmed that Fabrice Muamba had received numerous defibrillator shocks both on the pitch and in the ambulance, but his heart had stopped for 78 minutes.

Two weeks after the incident, a photograph was released of Fabrice Muamba sitting up in his hospital bed and smiling.

On 15 August 2012, Bolton announced that Fabrice Muamba had retired from professional football, based on the recommendation of his medical team.

On 8 November 2012, Fabrice Muamba returned to White Hart Lane for the first time since his cardiac arrest and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Fabrice Muamba later played 15 minutes in Ian Goodison's testimonial match in 2015.

Fabrice Muamba was a co-commentator alongside Derek Rae on BT Sport's coverage of the African World Cup qualification third round play-offs.

Fabrice Muamba studied for a BA in sports journalism at Staffordshire University; as part of his course he went on work placement at BBC North West Tonight.

In March 2015, Fabrice Muamba took some coaching sessions at Liverpool's academy.

Fabrice Muamba later did his UEFA B Licence at Manchester City and A Licence at Stoke City.

Fabrice Muamba received his first call-up for England U21 for the friendly against Romania U-21 on 21 August 2007 at Ashton Gate, Bristol, and made his debut as a second-half substitute.

Fabrice Muamba had been called up to the DR Congo squad in May 2007, but declined so as to remain eligible for England.

Fabrice Muamba met Shauna Magunda while he was a Birmingham City player and she was studying for a master's degree at Birmingham City University.

Fabrice Muamba has been described as "deeply religious", and stated he would have sought a career in accountancy had he not become a professional footballer.

Fabrice Muamba took part in the 2012 Christmas Special edition of the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing.