In our new series at Everything Orient, we take a look at ex-Orient players and see where their careers have taken them since their departure from Brisbane Road.
Amara Simba, a gifted, talented footballer with flair who dazzled audiences in the 1990s for many prestigious clubs in the French top flight, the Striker born in Senegal but capped for France joined the O's in 1998 from Mexican side Club Leon.
Born in Dakar, Senegal on 23rd December 1961; Simba joined French 3rd Division club FC Versailles as a youngster, after impressing in their youth system Simba caught the eye of European Giants Paris Saint German, he spent 7 years at PSG were he established himself as a backup in his first 3/4 years at the club. He went out on loan to AS Cannes in 1990 were he impressed scoring 10 goals in 27 games during his season long loan spell at the club, he returned to PSG and found his way into the first team, 2 impressive seasons followed for Simba in 1991/92 and 1992/93.
In 1992 he gained national attention making his first cap for the French national team scoring on his debut, he would go on to be picked for their squad for Euro 92 but was forced to pull out through injury. He made just 3 caps for France scoring twice, in 1992/93 he won the Ligue 1 Goal of the Season award for his iconic goal against Bordeaux where he controls the ball with a chest and scores a bicycle kick.
In 1993 he left for PSG's Competitive rivals AS Monaco, he only played one season at Monaco scoring 4 times in 32 games, after underperforming at the French giants he then moved to Second Division SM Caen in the following season were he proved himself as a player scoring 14 times in 39 games. A move to LOSC Lille followed in 1995 where he scored 4 goals in 37, he then spent 2 years at Mexican side Club Leon impressing in the Mexican Second Division scoring 13 goals in 21.
He joined the O's after training with them whilst on holiday in London to keep his fitness up during the summer, even though his stay in east London only lasted 2 years, he amazed fans with his tricks, quality and finesse, one of the best technically gifted players to have ever played for the O's. He left the club in 2000, scoring 13 goals in 37 appearances for Orient . For younger readers, if I could compare him to any player we've had in recent years I would say he is a similar type of player to Sandro Semedo in terms of skill and brilliance.
Following his departure from Orient he then ventured into English non league football, joining 6th tier team Kingstonian in 2000 scoring 9 goals in 17 games for the South West London side, Kingstonian was to be Simba's 1st of 5 clubs he would play for in the space of 18 months. Brief spells at Conference teams Kettering Town and Barnet followed in the same year, at the start of the 2001/02 season Amara joined 7th tier St Albans City scoring an impressive 9 goals in 12 games, a mid season switch to 6th Tier Billericay Town would be his last move scoring 4 goals for the Riccay in 13 games, he retired at the end of the 2001/02 season. He is now enjoying his retirement in France.
What a career Amara Simba had, playing for the French national side and then ending up in the Ishtmain Premier Division within 8 years, playing for the greats such as PSG, Monaco and Lille before moving to Division 4 side Leyton Orient and then many brief spells for lower league clubs.