When Gael Bigirimana joined Newcastle back in 2012, he looked like a future first-team star.
The midfielder joined Alan Pardew’s side from Coventry and got his fair share of minutes despite just being a teenager. In his first season as a Magpie, Bigirimana made 24 appearances.
He even played in the Europa League quarter final clash with Benfica, showing just how much faith Pardew had in the youngster.
In the following campaign, Bigirimana played just once, featuring in a League Cup tie against Morecambe. That would be his final Newcastle appearance. He would have loan spells with Rangers and Coventry before returning to the Sky Blues permanently in 2016.
Bigi then headed north with Motherwell then Hibernian, but was released at the end of last season. The 26-year-old has finally got himself a new club, joining National League side Solihull Moors on a short-term deal.
It’s been some fall from grace for Bigirimana. We all remember that wonder-goal he scored against Wigan in December 2012. Almost seven years on and he’s now in the fifth tier of English football.
Hopefully the lad can get his career back on track. At 26, he still has his best years ahead of him.
It’s just a shame that his bright start in a Newcastle shirt didn’t continue. He was known as the mini Tiote for good reason, and his slide down the Magpies pecking order will remain a mystery.
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