Carl Asaba

Born in Westminster, London, Asaba started his career with Dulwich Hamlet. He earned a moved to Brentford in 1994 having scored a number of goals at non-league level. He made little impact in his debut season, however in his first full season his form improved considerably, developing pace and strength on the ball. Asaba made 12 league appearances and scored two goals for Colchester United on loan in 1995. He made his professional debut at Colchester, where he scored on his debut against Barnet. He returned to Brentford, scoring 23 goals in the 1996–97 season as the Bees lost out in the play-offs. Asaba's goalscoring exploits then saw him earn an £800,000 move to Reading in 1997. After failing to make an impact at Reading, scoring just eight goals in 32 league appearances, Asaba was signed to Gillingham for a club record fee of £590,000. He soon formed a formidable partnership with Robert Taylor and finished the 1998–99 season as the club's top scorer, scoring 23 goals in all competitions. He scored in the season's play-off final against Manchester City, opening the scoring 1–0 to Gillingham in the 81st minute. Strike partner Taylor scored the second in the 86th minute, but a last minute comeback from City took the tie to extra time and then on to penalties, which City won 3–1. In a spell that was dogged by injury, Asaba scored 40 goals in 91 appearances in all competitions. Asaba joined Sheffield United for a fee of £92,500 on 9 March 2001. He became a fan favourite after…

After retiring from football, Asaba settled in Sheffield and entered the motor trade. During the 2021–22 season, he worked as a co-commentator for BBC Radio Sheffield and Sheffield United's in-house television channel.

Gillingham

Football League Second Division play-offs: 2000 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 1996–97 Second Division