Jirès Kembo Ekoko

Jirés Kembo Ekoko is a striker of FC Al Ain, UAE. He was born on 8 January 1988 in Kinshasa.

The player’s youth career began in 1997 when he entered Bondy football academy. Initially he studied at the club’s academy and later began to participate in the youth team matches. Till 2001 the striker was reckoned among AS Bondy educatee. In 2001 Jirés moved to Clairefontaine football academy where he studied and played for the club’s youth team. In 2004 arrived the scouts from Rennes to find talented players. Ekoko appeared at the exhibition friendly match and aroused the scouts’ interest. A bit later the striker was offered a transfer to Rennes academy in order to hone his skills at a higher level. From 2004 till 2006 he studied at the club’s football academy and played for the youth team until he earned a call-up to the first team.

In 2006 Jirés was awarded a contract with Rennes which was the first professional contract in his career. A young striker was glad to be given such an opportunity and in the same year signed a contract. He made his debut during the 2006/07 season. From 2006 to 2012 the player scored 16 goals in 110 appearances with the club.

In 2012 the Congolese player moved to the UAE and joined FC Al Ain. One year later he was loaned to a Qatari side El-Jaish.

From 2009 to 2011 the player appeared 9 times for the France national U-21 team.