Fabrice Muamba: the refugee who plays like Patrick Vieira

Apr 88 Fabrice Muamba is born on 6 April in Kinshasa, Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Civil war breaks out and gunfire becomes a common sound to the young Muamba Dec 99 Moves to England at the age of 11, reuniting with his father, Marcel, who in 1994 had sought asylum after his a political affiliations with the DRC government made him a target for rebels Aug 04 Having been associated with Arsenal since 2002 when he walked into their youth team's training ground and asked for trial, the 16-year-old Muamba joins the Gunners' academy Oct 05 Signs professional terms and makes first-team debut in the League Cup at Sunderland on 25 October in front of a 47,000 crowd. Robin van Persie scores twice in a 3-0 win Aug 06 Steve Bruce signs him for Birmingham City on a season-long loan. Makes 34 league appearances on way to winning the club's young player of the year award as City are promoted back to Premier League May 07 Makes move to Birmingham permanent in a £4m transfer from Arsenal. Scores first goal for club – a close-range volley from a corner in March 2008 during 4-2 defeat at Portsmouth Aug 07 After representing England at every age level from Under-16s, Muamba is handed the first of 33 Under-21 caps in a 1-1 draw against Romania at Ashton Gate, coming on as a substitute for Mark Noble 2007-08 Scores two goals in 37 Premier league appearances but his energetic style – likened to his boyhood hero Patrick Vieira – cannot prevent City's relegation after one season back in the top flight June 08 Gary Megson makes him Bolton's first signing of the summer in a £5m deal with add-ons worth a further £750,000. "Fabrice is a tough-tackling central midfielder," says a delighted manager Aug 10 Signs a new four-year contract at Bolton, committing him to the club until 2014. "Everyone knows my opinion of him," says manager Owen Coyle. "He's a great prospect" Jun 11 Captains the Under-21s at the European Championship in Denmark. Experiences the misery of England's exit as two goals in the last two minutes send Czech Republic into the semi-finals Aug 11 Scores his third league goal for Bolton in a season-opening 4-0 defeat of QPR. Scores first-ever League Cup goal against his old club Arsenal but Andrey Arshavin and Park Chu-Young hit back to win 2-1 Mar 12 Collapses in the first half of Bolton's FA Cup tie at Tottenham. The 23-year-old receives lengthy treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition