Ex-Cameroon midfielder Nguemo, 38, dies in crash

Former Celtic and Bordeaux midfielder Landry Nguemo died in a car crash in his homeland, Cameroon on Thursday at the age of 38.

The Cameroon Football Federation confirmed the news via statement.

“FECAFOOT have just learned the news of the death of the former Indomitable Lion Landry Nguemo following a traffic accident. “FECAFOOT offer our condolences to those close to him, and to all the family of football,” the statement said.

The defensive midfielder made his name in French football at Nancy, where he was a League Cup winner in 2006, and spent time on loan at Celtic before moving permanently to Bordeaux in 2011.

He spent three years with Les Girondins before subsequent spells with Saint-Etienne and in Turkey with Akhisar Belediyespor and Kayserispor.

He finished his career in 2019 following a brief time with Norwegian side Kongsvinger.

Between 2006 and 2014, Nguemo amassed 41 caps for Cameroon, representing the Lions at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

He was an unused substitute in the 2008 final defeat by Egypt in Accra.

Since retirement, the native of Cameroon’s West Province coached the youth team of Nancy and also invested in his homeland.

He sought to improve the education of Cameroon’s young footballers, while he also tried his hand at property development, and only a few days ago, invited Brentford and Indomitable Lions forward Bryan Mbeumo to visit a new build – named CAN House – in Nguemo’s hometown of Dschang.

Celtic paid tribute to their former player on their website.

“Everyone at Celtic Football Club is shocked and saddened at the news of Landry N’Guemo’s passing at the young age of 38,” the club said in a statement.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Landry’s family and friends at this sad time.”