TRIBUTES ARE PAID TO FORMER CREWE ALEX DEFENDER MBULU
TEAM-MATES, fans and the football world have been paying tribute to Christian Mbulu.
Mbulu, who joined promotionchasing Crewe Alexandra in October before moving on to League Two Morecambe, died suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 23.
Police were called to his house near Preston and the death is not being treated as suspicious.
A statement from Morecambe said: “Everyone at Morecambe
FC is deeply saddened to learn of Christian Mbulu’s death and would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Crewe have released their own tribute to “a top bloke”.
A club statement said: “Everyone at Crewe Alexandra is deeply shocked and saddened.
“Christian was an immensely popular member of our dressing room and many of the players and staff continued to be in touch with him.
“When we visited Morecambe back in late February, you could see how popular he was with everyone at our club.
“He will be sorely missed because he was a top bloke, who had a real love for the game.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Christian at this incredibly sad time and may he forever rest in peace.”
Jim Mcmahon, chairman of Mbulu’s former club Motherwell, said: “We are shocked to hear of the news of Christian’s death.
“He was such a friendly, pleasant young man who we loved having around Fir Park.
“Our thoughts are with his family during this incredibly difficult time. We hope their privacy is respected by everyone as they try to come to terms with their loss.”
Mbulu had made his senior breakthrough at Brentwood Town and was recommended to Championship side Millwall, who he joined after a trial in 2015.
It was there that he reportedly caught the eye of Chelsea while playing for the under-21s - but he ultimately moved on to Motherwell in 2018 and then wound his way to South Cheshire after he impressed in pre-season.
He had been fighting for a place in the team while Crewe hunted the League Two title, then switched to Morecambe in the hope of more regular football.
Crewe manager David Artell told Cheshirelive at the time: “He’s left us to go elsewhere to a club which I think, irrespective of what we did, I don’t think we could have stood in his way anyway.
“I hope it works out for him because he’s a great fella.
“He is an exceptional human being. I really hope what might be going on in the background works out for him.”
He had made his first start just a month before the football shut down and it had seemed like the perfect place to kick-start his career.
“I only live down the road, which makes it easy to concentrate on football,” he said. “I can stay behind and do extra when I need to with no problems at all.
“Crewe were doing well, but the main thing for a player is to play so when you’re not playing all the time it’s frustrating. I didn’t get the game time I wanted and the gaffer here (Derek Adams) was willing to offer me that so it’s a good move for me.”
But the news which emerged late on Tuesday night has shaken those who knew him.
Lee Gregory, the Stoke City striker who was Mbulu’s club-mate at Millwall, wrote on Instagram: “Taken way too soon. RIP mate.”
Former Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore said: “Extremely sad to hear of the sudden passing of Christian Mbulu of Morecambe aged only 23.
“Sincerest of condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace Christian.”
Players across the UK have been paying their respects, from Celtic full-back Jeremie Frimpong and Motherwell’s Mark Gillespie to current Millwall midfielder Ben Thompson.
Supporters have also been posting tributes.
Police had been called to the address at Cottam near Preston on Tuesday, with the death not being treated as suspicious.
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We were called at around 1.30pm (May 26) to an address on Greenfinch Avenue, Cottam, to reports of a sudden death.
“We attended and sadly found the body of a man aged in his 20s.
“There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course.
“Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this sad time.”