Gabriel "Gaby" Mudingayi (born 1 October 1981) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Zaire, he represented the Belgium national team at international level.
Mudingayi moved to Belgium at a young age and started his career at the third division club Union Saint-Gilloise. He spent two seasons with the club before moving to Jupiler League side Gent, aged 19.
Mudingayi established himself in the club's starting XI during the following campaigns, and was selected to represent Belgium at both youth and senior level for the first time.
In January 2004 Mudingayi joined Italian Serie B side Torino, helping the club win promotion back to Serie Ain2005. However, the club went bankrupt, releasing all the players as free agents.[1] He moved to Lazio in August 2005.[2]
After struggling with injuries, Mudingayi scored his first and only goal for Lazio on 8 January 2006, in a 4–1 win over Ascoli. However, on 22 April, in a 1–1 away draw against Juventus, his leg was broken in a tackle by Fabio Cannavaro.[3]
Mudingayi only became a regular starter in the 2006–07 campaign, under Delio Rossi, appearing in 28 matches.
On 21 July 2008, Mudingayi was sold to newly promoted team Bologna[4][5] for €7 million,[6][7] on a five-year contract.[6] with part of the transfer receivable of Lazio was converted to the signing of Mourad Meghni outright, for an additional €1.75m.[6]
Mudingayi was an ever-present figure for the rossoblu during his spell, appearing in nearly 30 matches per season.
On 20 July 2012, Inter Milan announced that they had signed Mudingayi from Bologna on loan, with an option to purchase.[8] The loan fee was €750,000.[9] Behind Esteban Cambiasso, Walter Gargano and Zdravko Kuzmanović, he only appeared in nine matches during the campaign. Mudingayi also injured his Achilles tendon in January.[10]
In May 2013,[citation needed] after Gargano's departure, Mudingayi was signed permanently by the Nerazzurri for an additional €750,000 fee.[9][11] on a two-year contract.[9] However, he went on to appear only eight minutes during the whole season, being released in the following year.[citation needed]
On 20 October 2014, Mudingayi signed a one-year deal with La Liga side Elche CF.[12] However, he could not be registered due to the club's financial troubles, and left on 3 February of the following year.[13]
^ abcBologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. bilancio al 2009-06-30 (in Italian). Bologna: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2009. Meghni: la compartecipazione è stata risolta anticipatamente nel mese di luglio 2008, per l'importo stabilito da contratto (1.750.000) senza il realizzo di nessun onere o provento.
^ abcF.C. Internazionale Milano S.p.A. bilancio al 2013-06-30 (in Italian). Milan: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2013.
^"MUDINGAYI INJURY UPDATE" (Press release). F.C. Internazionale Milano. 28 January 2013. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
^Bologna F.C. 1909 S.p.A. bilancio al 2013-06-30 (in Italian). Bologna: Italian C.C.I.A.A. 2013.
