Transfer window: best XI of Cameroon internationals without a club

Goalkeeper: Fabrice Ondoa on hold

AFCON 2017 hero Fabrice Ondoa is once again without a destination. Latvian club Riga FS announced his departure this summer, after two seasons packed with silverware: a league title, a cup and a national Super Cup. At 29, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who came through at FC Barcelona's La Masia, still has an estimated market value of 375,000 euros. But with little exposure in a league that gets scant media coverage, he is struggling to attract recruiters.

Defenders: Onguéné struggling, Nyom heading for retirement (?)

At 26, Jérôme Onguéné is going through one of the toughest spells of his career. Signed by Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, the Mbalmayo native never found his place in the Bundesliga. Shuttled between successive loans at RB Salzburg in Austria and then Servette in Switzerland, he failed to convince on his return to Germany. On 4 January 2025, the club announced a mutual separation, ending an unremarkable spell. Short of match rhythm and without a club since, the centre-back's future remains uncertain, despite his potential.

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The case of Jean-Claude Billong inspires little more optimism. At 31, the former international terminated his contract with Calcio Lecco, a modest Italian Serie C club, after just six appearances. It was a short-lived stint that ended in January 2025, well before the contract was due to expire in June. As for Allan Nyom, the oldest of the defensive trio in this XI of unemployed Cameroonians, he was not retained by Getafe at the end of a short-term contract signed last October. At 37, the sturdy right-back, who developed at Nancy and has played in the Premier League and La Liga, seems to be slowly drifting towards the exit, with no official announcement but few prospects of a rebound.

Midfielders: careers off track for Kaptoum, Fuchs and Léa-Siliki

Wilfrid Kaptoum made little impression in Greece. After arriving at Panserraikos in July 2024, the 28-year-old midfielder, who came through at FC Barcelona's La Masia, quickly dropped off the radar. Barely used, with only nine games in all competitions, he terminated his contract a few months later. Valued at 350,000 euros on the market, Kaptoum is struggling to rebuild momentum after several unconvincing spells in Eastern Europe and Spain.

Meanwhile, Jeando Fuchs has gone from club to club without managing to settle. After his contract with Peterborough (England) ended, the defensive midfielder signed for one season with Bnei Sakhnin in the Israeli top flight. Despite 28 appearances in 2024-2025, the 26-year-old, valued at 275,000 euros, was not retained when his deal expired. It is a similar story for James Léa-Siliki, who, after leaving Gençlerbirliği in Turkey, had joined FC Buzău in Romania last February. The move proved fruitless: four games played, and a contract termination on 1 July. At 28, the former Rennes player is struggling to rediscover the form of his promising early days in Ligue 1.

Forwards: four "veterans" looking for a fresh start

Karl Toko Ekambi has been without a club since his spell at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia ended. The former Villarreal and Olympique Lyonnais striker, valued at 2 million euros, failed to rediscover his sharpness in the Saudi Pro League. In 24 appearances this season, the 32-year-old scored just one goal and provided two assists. A return well short of his European standards, it now forces him to look for a new home to get his career back on track.

Vincent Aboubakar is in a similar position. Released by Hatayspor in May 2025, the Indomitable Lions' iconic goalscorer could not prevent the Turkish club's relegation. Despite eight goals in 28 appearances, the former Besiktas striker left before the ship went down into the second division. At 33, one of the best-known faces of Cameroonian football now faces an uncertain future.

Clinton Njie is coming off a difficult season in Romania. His contract with Rapid Bucharest was terminated in June after a dull campaign: ten games played, just one goal scored, and a last appearance on 6 April. The former Tottenham player, injured for long spells, appears to be struggling to get back to his best. The same goes for Stéphane Bahoken, who has also joined the list of Cameroon internationals looking for a fresh start. At the end of his contract with Kayserispor, the 32-year-old chose not to extend his deal. Having arrived in 2023 from Kasimpasa, he played 45 games in Turkey, for a modest return of eight goals and two assists. His future remains to be written, although his profile could still appeal in less prominent leagues.