When your past comes back to hunt you.

For all youngsters who still think belonging to a gang is the 'real deal' well, they might want to learn a thing or two from Belgian International striker, Ilombe Mboyo.

Born in Kinshasha DRC, 26 year old  Ilombe had the world at his feet as a growing youth player in his adopted Country Belgium. Fondly known as 'Little Pele', he played youth football with top Belgian sides Club Brugge and Anderlecht alongside the likes of Vincent Kompany  and all seemed to be going well for the young lad. He however got involved with bad companies and was convicted for a gang-rape of a 14-yr old girl when he was 16. He was sentenced to 8yrs in prison but was out after doing only 3 years. A deal that saw him train with Chaleroi while in prison as well as some sessions of counselling turned his life around and his mind was re-focused on football.

While his mate Vincent Kompany who rates Ilombe very highly, went on to play outside of Belgium for Manchester City (he's also the captain of both club and Country), Ilombe languished in the obscurity of Belgium football and only recently started making progress which was expected of his undoubted talents. He has since gone on to be capped at National level in 2012. A very successful 2012/13 season with Gent of Belgium in which he scored 20 goals led to attention of clubs outside his country seeking his services. Few premiership clubs showed interest in him and West Ham United in particular made an offer to sign him. However, West Ham fans started a strong campaign against the club signing him and this eventually led to the club officially withdrawing their bid for his services.

For a player whose story was hardly known beyond his home country, an opportunity to showcase his talent in a competitive league has led to the scrutiny of his domestic life and this has in-turn scuppered a dream move to a bigger club.

No doubt that with a past like this, he may have to deal with doors being shut on him and his chances of securing a big move may have gone with his senseless action of the past. While it may be argued that he has paid for his 'sins' by doing some time and therefore should be allowed to move on, the sensitive nature of his crime could be a hindrance and  no club would want to touch a player with such reputation.

Like the emotional scars carried for life by victims of rape, Ilombe might as well brace himself up for an eternal life of guilt and possibly lost opportunities, as a result of his juvenile delinquency.