Nicolas Isimat-Mirin

Nicolas Johnny Isimat-Mirin (born 15 November 1991) is a French professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Dutch club Vitesse.

Isimat-Mirin was born in Meudon, in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, to Guadeloupean parents.

When he was six years old, his family moved to Roissy-en-Brie.

Isimat-Mirin began his career at France at Roissy-en-Brie.

During his time there, he became friends with Paul Pogba, Florentin Pogba and Mathias Pogba.

Isimat-Mirin then moved to Clairefontaine football academy and is a graduate of football academy.

After his departure from Clairefontaine, Isimat-Mirin joined Rennes and spent two seasons at the club before transferring to Valenciennes in 2009.

He spent the 2009–10 season playing on the club's Championnat de France amateur 2 team.

Isimat-Mirin's progress led to him being called up to Valenciennes’ first team, appearing as an unused substitute against Bordeaux on 28 April 2010.

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Isimat-Mirin appeared in the first team for the first time this season as an unused substitute against Auxerre on 21 August 2010.

A month later, he was promoted to the first team by manager Philippe Montanier.

On 21 September 2010, Isimat-Mirin made his professional debut in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Nîmes Olympique appearing as a substitute, as Valenciennes won the match 5–4 on penalties.

Five days later on 26 September 2010, he made his league debut for the club, as they lost 1–0 against Brest.

On 19 October 2010, Isimat-Mirin signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal until July 2014.

Following this, he made five more starts later in the 2010–11 season.

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Isimat-Mirin went on to make thirteen appearances in all competitions.

In a match against Saint-Étienne on 3 April 2011, Isimat-Mirin was at fault when he conceded a goal from Dimitri Payet to score an equalising goal, in a 1–1 draw.

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Isimat-Mirin established himself in the first team, playing in the centre–back position.

He then scored his first goal for the club, scoring from a header, in a 2–1 win against Auxerre on 20 November 2011.

However in a match against Evian on 3 December 2011, Isimat-Mirin was sent–off in the 16th minute for a professional foul on Yannick Sagbo, as Valenciennes lost 2–1.

After serving a one match suspension, he made his return to the starting line–up against Nice on 17 December 2011, as the club lost 2–0.

Isimat-Mirin scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–0 win against Le Mans in the first round of the Coupe de France.

Following his return from suspension, he continued to regain his first team place, playing in the centre–back position for the rest of the 2011–12 season.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Isimat-Mirin went on to make thirty–six appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

However in a match against Bordeaux on 14 January 2012, he, once again, was sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 2–1 loss.

After serving a one match suspension, Isimat-Mirin returned to the starting line–up against Dijon on 4 February 2012 and helped Valenciennes win 2–1.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Isimat-Mirin was linked a move away from Valenciennes, as he was linked a move away from the club.

At one point, Ligue 1 side Lille agreed to sign the player but the move was broken down over the transfer price.

Isimat-Mirin helped Valenciennes keep three clean sheets in the first three league matches of the season.

Since the start of the 2012–13 season, he continued to establish himself in the first team, playing in the centre–back position.

In the January transfer window, Isimat-Mirin was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and Lille, whose 2.5 million euros was rejected by the club.

He, once again, stayed at Valenciennes after his potential move to Lille never materialised.

However, Isimat-Mirin suffered an eye injury that saw him miss two matches.

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Isimat-Mirin went on to make thirty–one appearances in all competitions.

He made his return to the starting line–up for Valenciennes against Toulouse on 23 February 2013 and helped the club keep a clean sheet, in a 0–0 draw.

However in a match against Bastia on 30 March 2013, Isimat-Mirin suffered a knee injury and was substituted in the 63rd minute, as Valenciennes lost 4–3.

Although he returned to the first team in late–April, he didn't make his return to the first team until on 18 May 2013 against Evian, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 loss.

On 28 June 2013, Isimat-Mirin left Valenciennes to join the newly promoted Ligue 1 side AS Monaco on a four–year contract for a transfer fee costing 4 million euros.

Upon joining the club, he said: "I am very happy to have landed here, he assures, with a smile on her face. Even though I know that there will be enormous competition for my position (Medjani, Abidal, Carvalho). But I am armed for this. Moreover, seeing such names and such recruits is somewhat reassuring because it proves that the club wants to give itself the means to achieve its ambitions."

His performance led to him signing a four–year contract extension with Valenciennes, keeping him until 2015.