Christopher Samba

Early career

Born in the Parisian suburb of Créteil, Samba began his career with French Ligue 2 club Sedan, having previously played for D’Issy-les-Moulineaux and Rouen. As a result, he left Créteil in his youth to move to Sedan. At one point, Samba played in a striker position before switching to a centre–back position. After progressing through the ranks of the Sedan's Academy, he made his debut for the club in the opening game of the season against FC Istres, starting a match before being sent–off in the 57th minute, in a 2–0 loss. However, after making two more appearances for the side, Samba suffered an adductors injury that kept him out for the rest of the 2003–04 season. His injury cost him his chance of earning his professional contract at Sedan and was released by the club at the end of the 2003–04 season.

Hertha BSC

Following his release by Sedan, Samba revealed that he "had lots of trials with clubs during that time, but none of them came off". He also said: "I had no club and I had to train by myself for a long period of time. I was 19 years old. I had to recover from the injury myself without a physio, no money. For six months I did not have a club and I was just training. I went to small teams like Rouen who did not even want to let me train with them." Eventually, Samba was signed by Berlin-based club Hertha BSC of the German Bundesliga after being scouted while on international duty at Congo. Immediately after signing for Hertha BSC, Samba…

Samba represented the Republic of the Congo national team and stated in an interview, saying: "Without them, I don't know where I would be today. Many people ask me why I do not have French nationality to have a chance to play with the France team. But it was the Congo team that gave me the opportunity to play soccer again when I needed it." He made his Congo debut as a 20-year-old on 5 September 2004 against Togo and played 61 minutes before being substituted, as the side lost 2–0. Samba made his second appearance for Congo a month later on 10 October 2004 against Zambia and played 45 minutes, as they lost 3–2. Following his move to Blackburn Rovers, Samba hoped the move would benefited him in order to earn a call–up from Congo. However, he only made five appearances for the national side and didn't get a call up until February 2012, his first time called up in five years. A year later on 23 March 2013, Samba scored his first international goal, in a 1–0 win against Gabon. In November 2014, Samba announced his intention not to play in Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, citing his commitment to Dynamo Moscow. In November 2016, Samba was called up to the Congo squad for the first time in two years but never made the final cut.

On 25 November 2021, Blackburn Rovers announced that Samba had returned to the club as an academy coach.

Samba was born in Créteil, France and raised by a large family with seven siblings. Growing up, Samba idolised Lilian Thuram and even wish to emulate him. Samba has 6 children. The family continued to reside in England. In November 2013, Samba became a father for third time when his daughter was born. Two of his sons, Tyrone and Floyd, play in the Manchester City Academy. In August 2006, he had his wisdom tooth removed, which caused him to miss Hertha BSC's pre–season friendly matches. In August 2010, Samba was fined £120 after being caught speeding at 46 mph in a 30 mph zone in his Rolls-Royce in Lancashire. In April 2012, he was fined once again after caught speeding at more than 130 mph on the M65. Samba reflected on his actions when asked in an interview, responding: "As for the first part of the question, I know. As for the second - yes, exactly once. Then the policeman stopped for speeding. Never again violated the law. I prefer to remain a law-abiding citizen." In addition to speaking French, Samba speaks English and German, though he can speak Russian sometimes. However, Samba later stated in a Russian interview that he had difficulties speaking Russian, due to the difference between the Russian and Latin scripts. In January 2013, Samba revealed in an interview with the Guardian that he planned to establish a foundation named after him to create a football school in Congo. Outside of football, Samba said he plays basketball as his hobby.