Simon Ngapandouetnbu inks extension with Marseille
The Cameroonian keeper has yet to make a senior team appearance with Marseille
MARSEILLE, France — Cameroon U23 keeper Simon Ngapandouetnbu agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in Marseille through the summer of 2026. The contract includes a team option at the end of the year. Ngapandouetnbu is currently the third-string Marseille keeper, stuck behind Pau Lopez and Rubén Blanco. However, the club sees him as an asset and an important player to hold onto going into the future.
Ngapandouetnbu moved to France at a young age and has been involved with Marseille’s youth academy since his teenage years. Although he hasn’t seen his debut with Marseille despite signing a first-team contract in 2019, Ngapandouetnbu has seen some development with Marseille’s B team.
“It’s a source of pride because OM is my training club. I thank the Club for the trust it continues to give me,” Ngapandouetnbu told club media. “I'm touched.”
“I hope to go on loan next year to come back even stronger. I have evolved a lot since signing my first professional contract. A lot has happened. In the selection, I rub shoulders with André Onana and so little by little, I am progressing.”
Ngapandouetnbu is currently recovering from a meniscus tear but looks forward to a loan expected in the summer. The most likely landing spot for the Cameroonian youngster is a Ligue 2 club. Valenciennes were linked to him, but the deal ultimately fell through. It appears that OM is more committed to organizing a deal come this summer, as 2024 will be an important crossroads for him.
Despite advancing to the Europa League semifinals with a recent win over Benfica, Les Minots currently rest in ninth in Ligue 1 — ten points from a Champions League qualification spot and four points from having any chance at qualifying for Europe through their league standings. It looks like a tournament push in the Europa League will be their only way to get Champions League action. OM plays Atalanta May 2nd and May 9th to determine a spot in the Europa League final against the winner of Roma-Leverkusen.