Portal:Football in Africa/Selected biography/27

Christopher Samba is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Championship club Aston Villa.

Samba began his career in France with Ligue 2 club Sedan. After only three appearances, he was signed by Bundesliga side Hertha BSC, where he struggled for playing time before joining Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League for £450,000 on 25 January 2007. He was appointed club captain ahead of the 2010–11 season and went on to make 185 appearances for the club in all competitions before moving to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in February 2012. His three seasons at the club were split by a short return to English football with Queens Park Rangers for six months. In August 2013, Samba left Anzhi for Dynamo Moscow, where he made over 50 appearances in all competitions before joining Panathinaikos in August 2016.

Samba made his debut for the Republic of the Congo in 2004 at the age of 20.