David GOMBE
Uganda Cranes forward Travis Mutyaba has completed a move to French side Girondins de Bordeaux.
The former SC Villa playmaker joins the fourth division French side as a free agent following termination of his employment contract at Egyptian Giants Zamalek SC in August.
It was established that Mutyaba and his representatives decided to part ways with Zamalek since the club had a transfer ban which could hinder the player’s potential transfer to Europe.
Mutyaba joined Zamalek on a four and half year employment contract after leaving record Uganda Premier league champions SC Villa.
He became the first Ugandan player to win the CAF Confederation Cup after Zamalek SC edged RS Berkane on away goals rule in the final that was played in May this year.
Mutyaba’s new home Bordeaux was founded on 1 October 1881 as a multi-sports club and it is one of the most successful football clubs in France.
The club has won six Division 1/Ligue 1 titles, the last in 2009. Bordeaux have also won four Coupe de France titles, three Coupe de la Ligue titles, and three Trophée des champions titles as well.
In 1996, Bordeaux reached the UEFA Cup final losing to Bayern Munich and also reached the Latin Cup final in 1950. From a year to its inception, the club’s stadium was the Stade Chaban-Delmas, from 2015, Bordeaux’s home ground is the Matmut Atlantique.
At the end of the 2023–24 season, Bordeaux was administratively relegated to the Championnat National. Although the club had initially appealed the decision, it later withdrew the appeal.
On August, 1st 2024, due to bankruptcy, Bordeaux was forcibly relegated to the Championnat National 2 and put into financial administration by the French football controlling body, the National Directorate of Management Control/DNCG.
Great players such as Zinedine Zidane, striker Christophe Dugarry and left back Bixente Lizarazu are some of the notable players to have featured for Bordeaux.
It is also the current home for former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll.
