Bolasie with Plymouth Argyle in 2010 |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Yannick Bolasie | ||
| Date of birth | 24 May 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Lyon, France | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Winger | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Bristol City | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2006 | Rushden & Diamonds | ||
| 2006–2007 | Hillingdon Borough | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2007–2008 | Floriana | 24 | (4) |
| 2008–2011 | Plymouth Argyle | 51 | (8) |
| 2008–2009 | → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Barnet (loan) | 20 | (3) |
| 2009–2010 | → Barnet (loan) | 22 | (2) |
| 2011– | Bristol City | 7 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:36, 4 December 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Yannick Bolasie (born 24 May 1989) is a Congolese footballer who plays for Football League Championship club Bristol City as a winger, having previously played for Floriana, Plymouth Argyle, Rushden & Diamonds and Barnet.
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Bolasie began his career with Rushden & Diamonds at the age of 16.[1] He spent four months as a member of their youth team and then had a spell with Hillingdon Borough before moving across Europe to play for Floriana in the Maltese Premier League.[2] He returned to England in 2008 after being offered a trial with Plymouth Argyle, and impressed enough to be offered a two year contract.[3] "Bolasie has been signed for one reason – he has out and out potential," said Paul Sturrock, the club's manager.[4] He joined Dagenham & Redbridge on trial, with a view to a loan move,[5] before returning to Rushden & Diamonds on loan near the end of the year.[6] He made his debut against Eastbourne Borough on 29 November,[7] and made seven appearances in the Conference before returning to Argyle in January 2009. Bolasie then joined Barnet on loan,[8] making his Football League debut against Accrington Stanley on 24 January 2009.[9] He scored his first goal two weeks later; opening the scoring in a 3–3 draw against Grimsby Town.[10]
He returned to Argyle at the end of the 2008–09 season having made 20 league appearances for Barnet, scoring three goals.[11] The club's manager, Ian Hendon, was keen to bring Bolasie back, but dismissed the chances of signing him permanently. "Yannick is still under contract at Plymouth, so it is likely that he will return there at the end of the season," he said.[12] He rejoined the Barnet squad in July 2009 ahead of the new season on a six month loan,[13] and hoped it would act as a springboard to winning a place in the Argyle first team.[14] He scored against Grimsby again in October 2009, capping a fine display with a fierce shot from 30 yards[15] Bolasie scored his second goal of the season three weeks later against Darlington,[16] as Hendon's side maintained a place in the top half of the League Two table.[17]
He returned to Plymouth Argyle in January 2010,[18] having made a further 22 league appearances for Barnet, scoring twice.[19] He was given a chance to impress by Paul Mariner, who had succeeded Sturrock a month earlier, and included him in the squad to take on Barnsley on 13 February 2010. He made his debut for the club in that game, coming off the substitute bench to provide the momentum to turn a one nil deficit into a 3–1 win for the visitors.[20] "The introduction of Bolasie was a breath of fresh air," said Mariner. "I think even the Barnsley fans would probably say they liked to see what he was doing. He brought a lot to the table for us."[21] He scored his first goal for the club two weeks later at Sheffield United.[22] The pacy winger,[23] ended the season with 16 Championship appearances to his name,[24] but couldn't prevent prevent the club from slipping back to League One. Bolasie was offered a new contract by the club in April 2010,[25] and put pen to paper in July after the arrival of Peter Reid as the club's new manager.[26][27]
On 6 June 2011, Bolasie was transferred to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee, on a two year contract.[28][29]
Bolasie was born in Lyon, France,[30] and moved to England at a young age. He attended Cardinal Hinsley High School in London. Bolasie is a cousin of former Newcastle United and Olympiacos striker Lomana LuaLua, and fellow winger Kazenga LuaLua.[31] He is also a relative of Albacete Balompié striker Trésor Kandol, who is also a former Barnet player.[32]
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