Eyong Enoh

Eyong Tarkang Enoh (born 23 March 1986) is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

During the span of his career, Enoh has played for various clubs in eight different countries, including spells in both Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Turkey, Cameroon and South Africa, having played for the likes of Ajax, Ajax Cape Town, Willem II, Standard Liège, Fulham, Antalyaspor, Mount Cameroon FC, Mağusa Türk Gücü, Enosis Neon Paralimni and Olympiakos Nicosia.

He was spotted by Mount Cameroon while playing for Little Foot in the 2001 Mini-Interpools and recruited to the Buea team that same 2001..

After five seasons playing for Little Foot FC, Enoh transferred to Mount Cameroon FC, a club from Buéa, for the 2003–2004 season, playing in the Cameroon Premiere Division, the top flight of football in his homeland.

While at Little Foot he had been given the nickname Verón, after the Argentinean midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón, due to their similar playing style.

He continued to bear the nickname in his new club and in the University of Buea where he had enrolled in the Faculty.

It was during his period in Buéa, that he began playing for the Cameroon national football team's Cadet Lions, receiving his first caps for the national youth teams of Cameroon.

Following his debut at the top flight in Cameroon, Enoh transferred to Mağusa Türk Gücü S.K., a club from the Occupied area from Turkey.

He appeared in 36 matches and scored one goal for his new club, playing in the Kuzey Kıbrıs Süper Ligi.

After just one season with the club however he transferred once more, this time to Türk Ocağı Limasol, remaining in Northern Cyprus.

The transfer did not fare well with Enoh as he did not receive any playing time, and after six months terminated his contract with his new club.

Having returned to Cameroon after his less successful stint in Northern Cyprus, Enoh was signed to South African Ajax Cape Town in the summer of 2006, playing in the South African Premier Soccer League for the Cape club.

In his first season in Cape Town, Enoh made a mere nine appearances during the regular season.

A year he would also help Ajax Cape Town to win the ABSA Cup.

While leaving a lasting impression after his first season, Enoh became a valuable player to Ajax CT the following season, when he was made team captain and was awarded the Ajax Cape Town Player of the Year award at the end of the 2007–2008 season.

In the summer of 2008, Enoh travelled to Europe for many trials in France, Denmark, Sweden and England but was not offered a contract.

He was on the brink of signing with Maccabi Haifa from Israel but the two parties could not come to terms.

Harry Redknapp made an attempt to sign the young midfielder to Portsmouth but Enoh could not get a work clearance on time to play in the U.K.

After making a stunning Eredivisie debut against Feyenoord on 21 September 2008, he quickly became a regular starter in Marco van Basten's team.

He scored his first UEFA Cup goal against Olympique Marseille on 18 March 2009 in the Amsterdam ArenA and has become a popular figure with the fans for his workman-like performances.

He was a regular starter under new manager Martin Jol.

As a member of the Cameroon national team, he participated in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the FIFA World Cup as well as the 2010 and 2015 editions of the African Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals of the former tournament.

His Son Bashan Enoh is also a footballer, currently playing in the youth teams of the Ajax Youth Academy.

Raised in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, the son of a local government official, Enoh's football career began in the youth ranks of local club Little Foot FC from Tiko, where he played for five seasons.

In August 2008 he signed a contract at AFC Ajax Amsterdam until 30 June 2010 with a two-year option.

Enoh was the first Cameroonian that ever played for Ajax.

Enoh along with many other Ajax regulars spent a good portion of the 2011–12 season injured.

He returned to the Ajax first team in an important 2–0 win against PSV Eindhoven, in which he scored.

When Frank de Boer was appointed manager, Enoh had fewer starting opportunities, and was used more as a substitute player.

Enoh signed for Premier League side Fulham on loan until the end of the season on 31 January 2013, with Fulham having the option to sign the player on a permanent deal.

At Fulham, Enoh was rejoined with his former Ajax manager Martin Jol.

He made his début for Fulham when he came on as a substitute in their 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 17 March 2013.

Following his loan spell at Fulham where he made 9 regular season appearances for the Cottagers, Enoh returned to Ajax on 11 July 2013 where he was given the number 26 shirt.

While registered by manager Frank de Boer to play in the clubs 2013–14 UEFA Champions League campaign if necessary, Enoh was given minutes in the Dutch Eerste Divisie for the reserves team Jong Ajax in the meantime, where he made his debut on 15 September 2013 against Willem II in a 1–1 draw at home.

Having come to terms with Antalyaspor from Turkey, Enoh left Ajax having appeared in 98 league matches, having scored 3 goals.

He played in 13 matches for the KNVB Cup, and made 36 appearances on the continental stage for Ajax, scoring one goal, He also competed in the Johan Cruijff Shield once.

Having lost his starting position at Ajax, and with Fulham opting not to purchase the defensive midfielder at the end of their season, Enoh was granted permission by Ajax to negotiate with other clubs, and weigh out alternative options, since his contract runs until mid-2015.

Kasımpaşa and Olympiacos had been mentioned as clubs interested in signing the midfielder.

Unable to secure a transfer however Enoh remained in Amsterdam.

Playing time for the first team was bleak due to emerging talent coming from Sportpark De Toekomst, such as Thulani Serero and Lucas Andersen, and newly arrived Lerin Duarte.